In the early 1870s a small school was erected by a benevolent gentleman, Nicolas Murphy, on his property in Norwood Cobh. Two Sisters of Mercy travelled daily from Cobh convent to teach in the school. They used also visit Mr. Murphy’s wife twice a week during her last illness. When she died he intended to leave Norwood and go to live in Carrigmore, Cork.
In 1874 Mother Baptist O’Neill, Superioress, negotiated with him to purchase his house for the community. He gave his house to the Sisters and eight acres of land on the express condition that it would be a branch convent and supplemental orphanage would be established on the premises.
Up until 24 September 1983 Rushbrooke Convent was a branch house of Convent of Mercy, Cobh and so the history of Rushbrooke is linked with that of Cobh Convent. From 1983 on it became an independent house. In 1994 it became part of the Southern Province of the Sisters of Mercy. Finally in 2010 the time came for the convent to close and the some of the remaining Sisters went to live in 21Whitepoint Avenue, Rushbrooke or transferred to Nursing Homes or houses of assisted living.
Closure of 21 Whitepoint Ave., Rushbrooke 2014
In February 2016 21 Whitepoint Avenue, Rushbrooke, which was a rented property, was sold by the owner to new tenants and the four Sisters living there went to live in other mercy houses.
Rushbrooke Convent of Mercy National School/ Bunscoil Rinn’a Chabhlaig.
By the year 1880 the number of children on roll in the little one-storey school was ninety eight and continued to increase form year to year. In 1885 steps were taken to provide a larger school. This time another benevolent gentleman, Captain Rushbrooke came to their aid. In July 1886 he cancelled the head rent and leased the site to the Sisters at a nominal rent of one shilling a year and added 16 acres of land. The gothic facaded building cost £567 towards which a grant of £378 was given by the National Board. On July 23, 1889 Rushbrooke Convent National School was officially registered under the Board of Education.
The number of children attending the school continued to grow down to the 1950s. In 1959 the whole building was reconstructed and enlarged. The architect was Mr. Boyd Barrett and builder, Mr. Murphy, Midleton. Further extensions were made in the 1960s and in 1980 additional land had to be acquired from the landlord Mr. Rushbrooke now resident in Africa who gave the sisters five acres of land which they gave to the parish for r the new extension.
Over the years the school was enlarged and expanded until finally on 27 June 2012 the sod was turned for the new Rushbrooke Convent National School by the one remaining Sister of Mercy in the school. In February 2014 a decision was made to change the name from Rushbrooke Convent of Mercy National School to ‘Bunscoil Rinn a’ Chabhlaigh.’
Rushbrooke Orphanage/ Greenwich School: (1889- 1938)
One of the express conditions of Nicholas Murphy’s gift of his premises to the Sisters of Mercy was that a supplemental orphanage be provided. This was of great benefit to St. Colman’s Orphanage Cobh as children who were delicate were transferred there and made recovery in the healthy country surroundings. The building of a new orphanage was delayed due to lack of funds until 1889.
The foundation stone was laid 21 June 1889. It was officially opened 20 October1890. Architect: Samuel Hynes, South Mall, Cork and Contractor: Denis Creedon, Fermoy. It was originally intended for naval children in connection with the Greenwich Hospital. It was hoped it would be given a grant which would enable them to receive the destitute children of naval seamen many of whom had served in various Regiments. Children were supported from the Greenwich Hospital Fund, The Patriotic Fund, The Royal Artillery Charities etc. As a result it was known as the Greenwich School. In the 1920s it was in danger of closing down due to lack of funds. History shows that it did not close down but subsequently was converted into the Sacred Heart Boarding school which lasted until 1961.
Sacred Heart Boarding School : (1938-1961) : With the emergence of the Irish Free State and the handing over of the ports in 1938 there was no further need of the service to the naval children and gradually in the 1940s the Greenwich School developed into an ordinary boarding school. This remained in operation until 1961.St. Colman’s Industrial School (Residential Home): (1961): When Sacred Heart Boarding School closed in 1961 the children from St. Colman’s Industrial School Cobh moved into the premises. It is still in operation under the HSE (2014). The Sisters of Mercy have no longer any involvement there.
Southern Province 