Tralee Union Workhouse designed by George Wilkinson was completed in September 1842.
The Mercy Sisters had been allowed to visit the Workhouse Hospital since their coming to Tralee in 1854 but could not perform any duties regarding the nursing of the poor. They merely instructed them in the duties of their religion, three times weekly, which was a great spiritual advantage.
In 1874 an opening was made which enabled them to take charge of the sick. The lay matron of the Workhouse being obliged to resign the members of Tralee Board of Guardians voted in favour of the Sisters of Mercy being asked to take charge of the Workhouse Hospital, which they gladly did on the 11th of November 1874.
The workhouse infirmary evolved to become St Catherine’s Hospital in the 1930s.
Alterations had to be made to a portion of the Workhouse building, to prepare it for the Sisters so a considerable time elapsed before they were able to take up residence at the hospital. Until such time as a convent was ready, the Sisters continued to live in St. John’s, Balloonagh and used to be driven to the hospital daily at 10.00 a.m. and returned at 3.30 pm. This arrangement was inconvenient and restricted the work for the sick in the hospital
In the month of July on the feast of St Martha 1875 the following Sisters took up residence in the area in the workhouse allotted to them: Sr. M. Louis O’Callaghan, Sr. M. dePazzi Hilliard, Sr. M. Michael Danaher, Sr. M. Monica Barron, Sr. M. Canice Culhane. For a long time one room served for bedroom, refectory etc.
The Board of Guardians was liberal and granted everything that was requested by the Sisters for their own use, or for the hospital. The latter was in a state of neglect and required much labour and care, especially as regards cleanliness. Mortuaries were also kept in good order. A large crucifix hanging in each mortuary was a source of much comfort to the relatives of the deceased.
1868 – The Tralee Workhouse Chapel was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception by Bishop Moriarty on the 15th. December.
After some years The Board of Guardians appointed a trained night nurse who was on duty from 9pm to 9a.m. This arrangement proved a great boon to the Sisters. There were now six Sisters on the staff. Read more
Southern Province 