n 1891 thirteen Sisters came from Callan to establish a convent in Thomastown. They lived in Millview House in Ladywell which is now the residence of the Hoyne family. Their mission was to establish ‘an academy for young girls’.
On 25th March 1896 the foundation stone of the new convent was laid next to the Church on land leased from Colonel Somerset Butler. It was blessed and opened by Bishop Abraham Brownrigg in July 1899 and was dedicated to St. Joseph, This was to be the home of the Sisters until 1991 when due to smaller community numbers the convent was sold and the Sisters moved into a smaller purpose-built bungalow, Aras Muire, With just three Sisters left, it was decided earlier this year to close the house.
In those early days the girls were educated in what is now the old CYMS hall so there was need for a new school. In 1910 the foundation stone for a new primary school was laid and the school was opened on the 24th April 1912. The first pupil enrolled in the school was Maggie Keeffe born 1st Feb 1909 and enrolled in the school 24th April 1912. In the 1960s an extension was added and in the 1940s a ‘secondary top’ was added to the school allowing pupils to complete their Inter Cert. as it was then known, This amalgamated with the Vocational School in 1967 to become Grennan College.
In 1910 the Sisters began a laundry and a small domestic economy school for girls. The laundry was in operation until the 1950s. For many years the Sisters ran a very successful dairy. Music lessons in both piano and violin were given to both boys and girls after school hours, As well as teaching, the Sisters were very actively involved in the religious and social events of the parish over the years. Visitation of sick and elderly was a major part of their work.
In 2007 the last Sister retired from the school bringing to an end 110 years of dedicated service by the Sisters to education in Thomastown, their mission was accomplished and they were happy, if a little sad to hand over to their lay staff. In the words of St. Paul ‘ we have run the race, we have fought the good fight.’
As they prepare to leave Thomastown after 124 years it was an emotional time for them, letting go and re-adjusting to another place and another mission, but they will always carry with them the great memories of a parish community who supported them, befriended them and whose good will they will always appreciate.
Southern Province 