150 years of Mercy education in Carrick-on-Suir honoured at Scoil Mhuire celebration

Pictured above: Scoil Mhuire Secondary School staff members past and present pictured outside the school during the celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the school's move to its Greenhill campus and 150 years of Mercy education in Carrick. Picture Noreen Duggan

A flowering cherry tree is to be planted at Carrick-on-Suir’s Scoil Mhuire Secondary School next month to mark the 50th anniversary of the school’s move to its current campus at Greenhill and 150 years of Mercy education in the town.

The tree planting ceremony will follow on from the hugely successful celebration the school hosted on September 28 to mark the two milestone anniversaries.

Generations of past pupils, staff and Mercy sisters gathered at St Nicholas Church in Carrick for a Mass where Bishop of Waterford & Lismore Most Rev. Alphonsus Cullinan described the Sisters of Mercy who founded the school as “tremendous women of vision” and “inspirational”.

The Mass was followed by a commemorative plaque unveiling ceremony at the school where ample refreshments were laid on and served by Scoil Mhuire students and an extensive exhibition of photos and memorabilia was avidly viewed by the large attendance of guests.

The exhibition included photographs of most of the classes from 1974, the year the school moved to its Greenhill campus.

The Sisters of Mercy living at the Mercy Convent next door to Scoil Mhuire were special guests at the celebration with Sr Anna Holden and Sr Paschal Jones given the honour of unveiling the commemorative plaque.

The Mercy Order’s massive contribution to the education of girls in Carrick-on-Suir and to the town over the past century and a half shone through in the exhibition.

That history was also recounted in detail in a pamphlet called: “A History of Mercy Education in Carrick-on-Suir” published by the school as part of the anniversaries celebration.

ALSO READ:

" target="_blank" rel="noopener">

Tipperary's Scoil Mhuire Secondary School marks milestone 50th and 150th anniversaries

Many past pupils and staff attended the celebrations honouring the Carrick-on-Suir school's 50th anniversary at Greenhill and 150 years of Mercy education in the town

Past pupil and retired Scoil Mhuire teacher Mary Greene traced the story of the Mercy Sisters’ work in Carrick since their arrival in the town in 1874 during her address on behalf of the anniversaries’ organising committee at the end of the Mass in St Nicholas Church.

She said when the Mercy sisters first arrived in the town they dedicated themselves to serving the community’s most vulnerable citizens.

“They provided essential care, including nursing and education, to those in the workhouse as well as in the town.”

Ms Greene recounted how the sisters founded St Joseph’s National School, where children received not only education but nourishment and clothing when needed.

According to “A History of Mercy Education in Carrick-on-Suir” that school was first opened in 1885 at Mill Street before moving to Greystone Street two years later.

The sisters were also educational pioneers in founding Scoil Mhuire, the town’s first secondary school for girls when they moved from their first home on New Street to Main Street. A junior school, called St Anne’s was also set up there.

The pamphlet recounts how Scoil Mhuire became a boarding school with the addition of more dormitories and classrooms in the 1940s and 1950s as the number of students grew.

Ms Greene said the establishment of St Joseph’s Technical College (located at Greystone St.,) aligned with the vision of the Mercy Order's foundress, Catherine McAuley, to equip girls with the skills necessary for employment and domestic life.

“A History of Mercy Education in Carrick-on-Suir” details how this school later became known as St Joseph’s Residential College of Domestic Science where young women from all over Ireland came to train in preparation for entrance to the Sion Hill and Cathal Brugha Street domestic science colleges.

Ms Greene said in the early 1970s, the Sisters of Mercy made the significant decision to build a new school at Greenhill. This followed the amalgamation of Scoil Mhuire and the Presentation Secondary School.

Under the arrangement, the Mercy Sisters took control of the secondary education of girls in the town while the Presentation sisters took over their primary education.

Ms Greene was a member of the first year class that started at the new Scoil Mhuire at Greenhill in 1974, while the building was still under construction.

“The school had nearly 600 students enrolled in 1974, comprising day girls, Mercy boarders and Presentation boarders all under the esteemed leadership of Principal Sr Benedict Andrews, and with the capable support of Vice Principal, Mrs Helen O'Mahony,” she recalled.

“In 1974, there were over 70 Sisters of Mercy based in Carrick. In fact, for my Leaving Certificate in 1979, I had only two lay teachers.

“As time went on, an increasing number of sisters retired or pursued other roles. In 1991, the first lay principal, Mr Fergus Dunne was appointed, ably supported by Mrs Monica Walsh as his deputy.”

Ms Greene said when she retired from Scoil Mhuire three years ago, there were no remaining Sisters of Mercy on the staff.

“Trusteeship in the school has also transitioned to CEIST, thus ensuring the school continues to thrive and evolve, adapting to the changing needs of our community and challenges of the 21st century.

Ms Greene said Scoil Mhuire has been “instrumental in empowering generations of women and has played a vital role in the social and economic development of our community. “This legacy continues under the leadership of (Scoil Mhuire Principal) Mary O’Keeffe, her deputy, Michelle Sullivan, and their dedicated staff.”

Pictured below: Members of Scoil Mhuire’s teaching staff of 1974: Back: Sr Anne, Celine Coakley, Monica Walsh, Miriam Joyce, Angela Casey; Front: Sr. Paschal, Helen O’Mahoney (first lay Deputy Principal), Anna Morrissey