On 10th February, 1873, four Sisters of Mercy – Srs. Gertrude Mooney, Philomena Keatly, Evangelist Keogh and Josephine Bennett – arrived from Shrewsbury in England to establish a convent in Borris-in-Ossory. Welcomed by the Bishop, Dr. Horan and the parish priest Fr. Birch, the Sisters took up residence in a house which had been occupied by the Loreto Sisters since May 1859. They had left in September 1868 to open a convent in Kilkenny city.
At that time Borris was a small village and the majority of the people were farmers. While times were hard, the people shared the little they had with the Sisters, as they were grateful for the presence of Sisters among them.
A primary school was opened in 1873 and was recognised by the Commissioners of Education. Attendance increased over the years and in 1968, nearly a hundred years later, a secondary school was opened. Then in 1965 a new primary school was opened.
The Sisters also engaged in pastoral and parish work in the area. They visited the sick in their homes and provided school lunches for those who needed them.
Even though the convent closed in October 2001, the Sisters still reside in the area and continue to work there today.
Southern Province 