1875 -2003 KILMACTHOMAS
In 1875, the Sisters of Mercy, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, were invited to Kilmacthomas by Rev. David Hearne, C.C. Newtown, to take charge of the Workhouse. Four Sisters answered the invitation and on their arrival, they found nothing prepared for them, the apartments were dreary and comfortless, with no fire, no water, even to make a cup of tea. A temporary school was soon opened and they were promised a new convent and school. But time went by and promises were not fulfilled. Meetings were held and negotiations took place between the Bishops of the two dioceses, but for some strange reason, Fr. Hearne seemed to be making conditions more unacceptable, leaving the Sisters anxious and bewildered. They soon discovered that when they would go back to Clonakilty for elections in August 1878, they would be informed that they need not return. Needless to say, they did not wait for August to come, but left Kilmacthomas in May 1878 after three years of hardship and suffering but without bitterness.
The Cappoquin Sisters’ help had already been sought by Fr. Hearne and they arrived in Kilmacthomas on May 20th 1878. Mother M. Stanislaus Lawrence, the Superior went with five other sisters to found the convent there. They were : Gertrude Whelan, Joseph Harnett, Bernard Hennessy, Xavier Meade and Columba Fives. All are interred in the Convent cemetery, Kilmacthomas. Two Sisters from Stradbally brought the number up to eight which is what was required. The work assigned to them was to take charge of the Poor House Infirmary and the Fever Hospital. They came to run the Workhouse Hospital and the Fever Hospital, nearby, and to teach in the schools.
In the Workhouse the Sisters had a small section as a convent. There was a chapel there and a graveyard where the dead were buried in Workhouse coffins. The Sisters lived in poor conditions. The Workhouse closed in 1926. An open air Mass is offered in the graveyard once a year.
The Sisters who taught in the village school lived in a tiny house until the new convent and chapel were built. Fr. Hearne had got Mr. M.T. O’Keeffe to design and draw up plans for a new convent and school, as well as a beautiful gothic church of local stone with limestone dressing. The foundation stone of the school was laid in September 1878 and of the convent in February 1881. The contract for the building was given to a Mr. Ed. Shinnick of Limerick, but before the convent was completed, he became bankrupt and another builder had to be found to finish the work. Much of the original ambitious plans had to be relinquished for lack of funds. The proposed Gothic Church was abandoned and a temporary chapel was erected adjoining the convent. This building has lasted to the present day and serves the purpose of a convent chapel and a public chapel of ease for the people of Kilmacthomas. In 1882, Kilmacthomas became an autonomous house and Mother M Gertrude Whelan became the first superior.
The Sisters who taught in the local school held night classes for girls who at a tender age went to work in Stephenson’s Woollen Mills. They learned the basics – reading – writing –arithmetic and religion so that they could be prepared for Confirmation. When the Workhouse closed in 1926, the Sisters who had been working there, came to live in the convent. As well as teaching, the Sisters visited the sick in their homes. They have always been closely associated with the local community and that bond still exists.
In 1973, Kilmacthomas community was amalgamated with Dungarvan and became a branch of that community and an interchange of Sisters took place. When the Union of the Sisters of the Diocese was established in 1985, Kilmacthomas was chosen as the Generalate house. Since that event, the Mother General and her First Councillor live there and this has brought new life and vitality to the little community of Kilmacthomas.
The Convent closed in 2003
Southern Province 