Sisters of Mercy celebrate 140 years in Granard

They came at the request of the Parish Priest, to nurse and teach in the Workhouse which had been started in 1842.

Very primitive conditions, plus dire poverty, deadly fever, death, no electricity and overcrowding made it very difficult for staff, but more especially for the patients and families who comprised the hundreds of inmates in the Workhouse.

The Sisters rented accommodation in Springlawn and when additional members came they taught school in the stables.

By degrees, the National School was built (1891) plus the Sacred Heart Convent (1894) - due in large part to the support and fundraising of the townspeople, the clergy, and overseas donations.

All the while, the Sisters continued with home visitation, technical education in Continuation classes ( for older girls); running a farm which in later years supplied the Boarders with home grown produce.

The Vatican 2 Council, which brought big changes in the church, lifted restrictions on Religious, and opened up a new and rich way of involvement in local and church groups.

Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School was founded in 1947 with 24 girls. Numbers grew steadily and boys were added to the student body in 1959 with 12 boys.

It was among the first secondary co-educational schools in the country.

As new millennium moved on, many exciting developments happened, with the handing over of the schools to new management. Lay Principals, new extensions, B.O.M. growing numbers, technology and much more meant that education kept apace with national progress.

We are heartened that the Faith tradition, the Mercy ethos, high and vibrant educational standards, have flourished strongly and steadily down the years in Sacred Heart Primary and Cnoc Mhuire Secondary schools.

St Joseph’s Knitwear and Rath Mhuire Resource Centre were other ministries that the Sisters were involved in. The former served to give employment for 28 years and the latter continues to give a valued compassionate service in Granard and surrounding areas.

Since Catherine McAuley’s time in 1850’s, Visitation of homes has been a big part of the Mercy ministry. Integral to connecting with others, the needs, anxieties and concerns of people will always be wrapped in our community and personal prayer.

We acknowledge too, that failures, difficulties, hurts and omissions were, and are, part of our history. However we go forward in these uncertain times ( when our numbers are decreasing and our Convents closing), with a Hope to respond to the Mercy call in the best way we can.

It has to be said that from the start in 1882, the Sisters relied upon, and welcomed the support from the people of Granard. As the years rolled by, the community received as much, in material generosity, loyalty and friendship as they gave.

Service, volunteerism, collaboration, faith sharing, still pulses in the generations of Granard and parish community who continue to sustain, inspire, and befriend us, as we journey onwards.