"The Convent"

English Français Deutsch Italiano Español

The Sisters of Mercy established a community at Cahir on Whit Monday, in May 1863. The community consisted of 3 sisters, who had come from the convent at Cappoquin, Co Waterford. The first convent in Cahir was in one of the Mall Terraced Houses. However, the community grew rapidly to 24 by 1878, and the sisters then resided in the first two houses on the Mall and also one in Castle Street.

In 1877, it was decided to build a proper convent, and an Eighteen acre site was obtained from Lady Margaret Butler-Charteris at Townspark, through the mediation of her tenants. Mary Ann Vaughan, in religion Sr. M. Bernard, Personally designed and oversaw the building of the Convent, which was partly completed in 1878. The foundation stone was laid by Count Moore of Mooresfort. The silver inscribed trowel was later presented to the Convent by his grandson. In 1881, building work resumed and the structure was completed. The final phase involved was building of the Convent Chapel, which was completed during 1889. The Mercy Sisters have been mostly involved in the health and education fields. The Cahir Convent was Mother House to three convents (Clogheen, Ballyporeen and Portlaw) and two hospitals (Clogheen District and St. Joseph's Clonmel), as well as several primary and second-level schools.