Convent
The convent was built in 1853-54
Do you think it was still in use as a convent 150 years later?
An mbeidh mná rialta san fhoirgneamh sa bhliain 2054?
Bealtaine, 2008:
How many Sisters of Mercy do you think were in the convent in 1920?
The sisters taught children in rooms at the back of the convent
Why did Sisters and Christian
Brothers have to open schools?
Willie Hughes remembers primary education around the year 1918
In the year 1850, Fr. Hardiman brought four nuns from Westport to establish
a school.
They were accommodated by a solicitor in a house in Main St.
Mother Gertrude O'Brien and her three Sisters of Mercy started teaching
there.
Why did they need a new building?
Was it a good idea to build the convent so far outside the town?
Can you see the ring fort on the old map above?
It suggests that people have been living in the town for a long time!
Is there any sign of it on the Google Earth satellite picture?
The primary school is now to the left of the convent (near the road)
The secondary school is the large building on the right
Would you say there are many Sisters of Mercy still teaching the pupils?