On Wednesday, October 28, 1987, a new era began for the Sisters of St. John of God in Kilmore. For on that day the Sisters moved from the village to their new premises in Sarshill

In April 1898 Canon O'Gorman, P.P., applied to the Convent of St. John of God for a few nuns to establish their institute in Kilmore. Some months passed before a decisive answer was given, as the Community had already promised a foundation to the Pastor of Edenderry, and Rev. Mother M. Clare, while possessing a great zeal for the spread of the Congregation that never flagged, wisely relinquished what she thought could not be accomplished without taking from the Mother House those who constituted some of its strength and teaching staff.

Rev. Mother Clare and Mother M. Stanislaus went to see Ballyharty House and had an interview with Canon O'Gorman who informed them that the teachers were about to retire, and SO it was the acceptable time to establish the foundation. It was then arranged that the Sisters would go to Ballyharty on 1st October, 1898.

The little Community consisted of Sister M. Aidan Devereux, Sister M. Ignatius Condon and Sister Catherine. They resided at Ballyharty House until the new convent at Kilmore was completed in 1908.

However, they found the accommodation and facilities inadequate. It was also inconvenient for the Sisters to be such a distance from the church so it was decided to build a new convent in the village. The foundation stone was laid in May 1905 by the then Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Browne, and the Sisters moved into the completed building on the second Sunday of September, 1908.
The new Convent was originally built with a view to accommodating and educating young girls who wished to study Domestic Science.

On the ground floor of the new building were classrooms, a dining room, kitchen and store rooms. The kitchen with its white tiled fireplace has remained unchanged to this day. It was here that the young ladies learned the practical skills of home cooking. Photograph of the old convent, now St Anne's Nursing Home

The middle floor was the "Convent" proper and it was here the Sisters lived. Here too was their Oratory. The students had access to the Oratory from the back stairs which led to their quarters.
The top floor with its dormer and gable end windows boasted of two large dormitories where the girls slept. Indeed, some of their signatures are still to be seen on the presses. In the large bedroom on this floor, the lady in charge of the Domestic School, a Miss Brady, had her quarters. In her work Miss Brady was assisted by at least two Sisters.

In the grounds of the Convent were farm buildings where the girls learned how to milk, make butter and take care of poultry. The farmland at Ballyharty continued to be used and was connected by a path to the new convent. This farmland was part of an endowment left by a late parishioner, Mr. Thomas Stafford.

When initially in 1898 the late Canon Mark O'Gorman brought the Sisters to Ballyharty it was with the view of handing Kilturk School (the old two-roomed school, built in 1859) over to them. However, in 1910, the Sisters moved from there to Chapel Gardens and, in 1911 also took responsibility for Kilmore School. Thus, when the Domestic Science School closed down in the early 1920s, the Sisters continued to work in primary education in these two schools and remained there until the opening of the Central School, Scoil Réalta na Mara in 1973.

When the Sisters' activities were extended to Chapel Garden School. Sr. M. Aidan was appointed in charge of Community. The Kilmore children of those years owe an unmeasurable debt of gratitude to her. Years and days had gone by when some of those who had been under her charge in Kilmore School would return to consult her about entering the religious life.
Many of her past pupils are Sisters of the Incarnate Word in Texas, all of whom have now university degrees which they got when they completed their Novitiate.

Under Sister M. Aidan's direction, the Sodality of the Children of Mary was a means of exercising a solid influence for good. Another Sister associated with the new foundation was Sister Margaret Mary Gleeson, who was well known as a music and infant school teacher. She went to Kilmore in 1900.

She loved the beauty of God's House and did much in fostering devotion to the Blessed Sacrament amongst the little ones. She had all the school children marching in procession of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday of each succeeding year.

Always and unfailingly, she did her utmost to lighten the burden and to smooth the thorny way of those with whom she came in contact. Many a sufferer will be able in the eternal years to glorify the saintly compassion that met her in Kilmore Convent during Sister Margaret Mary's stay there. She had counted on long years of hard work, and she had delighted in the prospect. She went through the first struggles bearing her share of the burden. It was such a happiness to help the little ones in the School.

The reward had come. The Convent in Kilmore was a joy and a pride to its first children. None could ever love it as they did. Sister M. Aidan and Sister Margaret Mary knew the struggles of the early days there. Then they were wanted elsewhere. No matter. It was always the same Institute which was cherished with such entire loyalty by those who prepared the way for us.

At the very moment when the Institute seemed to want them most, God laid them aside. They need do no more. The vision of the busy years to come had been only a dream. But the faithful hearts bowed down in quiet resignation to the disappointment, the sufferings, the weary helpless waiting till the end came in peace.

The history of the Convent of Kilmore is a history of devotion to the duties of the Institute and solid good accomplished in every way. In its two schools the children received a thorough religious training and a good sound education. The sick and dying in the parish were visited and relieved.
The second Sunday in September 1908 was a glorious day in the history of the Sisters of St. John of God, Kilmore, as on that day the new Convent was formally opened by His Lordship, the Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Ferns.

The ceremony was preceded by Solemn High Mass, at which His Lordship presided. Following the Mass the Sisters walked in procession to the Convent, where in their presence, His Lordship accompanied by the local clergy blessed the Convent. Solemn Benediction was given in the evening from the beautifully decorated High Altar in the Church. The music of the Benediction was supplied by the Kilmore Choir who previously sang the Te Deum.

Speaking after Benediction, His Lordship said it was a day of rejoicing for them all, for it witnessed the culmination of much earnest work on the part of the Sisters of the Community.
This fine Convent, he said, was evidence of the faith and generosity of those who provided it, and of the many sacrifices they had made in order that the Community in Kilmore would be near the church and the school.

It must be remembered that for the majority of people, national school education was all that was available for many of these years, and consequently, many pupils remained in the primary school until they were into their late teens. When the Central School opened the four Sisters who worked in Chapel Gardens and Kilmore joined the newly formed staff. Now however, there are only two Sisters in the school.

Present Convent

Sisters Mary and Marietta

Decreasing numbers and the financial pressure of the upkeep of such a large house, forced the Sisters to sell the Convent. All were pleased however that it is was still of service to the area as a Private Nursing Home. We are sad, yes, but even the prophet Isaiah, thousands of years ago, told us not to cling to events of the past but to look to the new thing God is going to do. When, in 1871, Bishop Furlong founded the Sisters of St. John of God, his particular apostolic concern was the faith-view of the people.

This we hope is the particular apostolic concern of us Sisters who remain in the community in Kilmore. We hope that wherever we reside, our presence will enrich the lives of those with whom we come in contact, not only in the school but throughout the parish.

[Sr Paulinus and Sr Joan Walker]

In 2006 the convent was closed. Sr Joan Waters, who lives in the JoG Convent in Wexford, helps in the parish.

TOP