Chieftain, Boyle, Co Roscommon

Boyle Convent, Co Roscommon
What a setting was chosen for Boyle Convent in 1875! We live under the shadow of the 12th Century Cistercian Abbey and with the majestic Boyle River going through its grounds.

The Convent of Mercy in Sligo town provided four Sisters at the request of the Parish Priest, Fr. McTucker. The Primary School began immediately with an enrolment of 200 pupils and in 1902 a new school was built. The Old School became a Knitting and Lace Making School up to 1915.

Meanwhile in 1908 the Sisters founded a Laundry which gave employment to over 30 men and women for 60 years. Lady Stafford King-Harmon and Lady Aberdeen, wife of the then Chief Secretary of Ireland, formally opened it – a proof that it was very important as an employer and a facility used by the surrounding area for a radius of 20 miles.

It used to be said that the whole Civil Service was populated by Boyle people, due to a special 8th Class for the Entrance Exams. In addition to the usual subjects, Shakespeare, Syntax, Tots, Embroidery, Poetry, and Singing were taught as extras. Girls came from many places and actually stayed in lodging houses to get their education in Boyle. A Commercial Class also helped girls get jobs.

The Secondary Top in 1952 and Secondary School in 1969 continued the great tradition of education until the Amalgamation of the schools in town in 2002. The Convent has a beautiful Chapel built in 1929 which is now frequented by the laity for 24 hour Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The people find it a haven of peace.

Due to their work with the poor from the time of the Boyle Workhouse the Sisters have always had a great rapport with the people of the town.

Our house is open and hospitable to all and is one of the few which continues to have poor people call for meals.  For our final journey into God we have a Community Plot in Assylinn Cemetery which overlooks the same river which accompanied us on our earthly journey. May we all feel at home there!

St Anne’s, Castlerea, Co Roscommon
Our Convent, which was built in 1888 overlooking the town of Castlerea is conveniently and pleasantly situated beside Church, Schools and other public amenities. We are fortunate to have a beautiful scenic Park called the Demense including walks along the river Francis. The historic residence of the O’Connor Dons, descendants of the High Kings of Connaught is on the outskirts of the town, and attracts many tourists to the area.

Castlerea can also boast of being the birth place of Dr. Douglas Hyde,  first President of Ireland, and one of the founder members of the Gaelic League. When the Sisters came to Castlerea in 1887 they were housed in the stables of Clonalis while the Convent was being built.

We have many and varied ministries which spring from our prayer life which is of the utmost importance to us. Our ministries include Teaching, preparation for Sacraments and Liturgy, distribution of Religious Magazines, visitation of the elderly, both in their own homes and in Nursing Homes, visiting the sick and bereaved, and also visiting our Sisters in Nursing Homes. We keep in touch with past pupils by letter writing and phone calls.

Sisters are also involved in Eucharistic Adoration, Dial a Prayer, and bringing Holy Communion to the sick and house bound. Alpha Programme. Praying the Sunday Gospels.Vincent de Paul, Parish Pastoral Council and Altar Society. Other ministries which Sisters are involved in are Prison Ministry, Complimentary therapy, Apostolic Mission work, and Catholic Nurses Guild.

We take a holistic view of our lives as we care for our spiritual, physical psychological, emotional and social development.