St. John’s Balloonagh
In 1854 the Sisters of Mercy, Killarney were invited by the people of Tralee to found a convent in Tralee. On July 1854, Mother de Sales Bridgeman and Mother Elizabeth O’Riordan accompanied by Dr. David Moriarty, Bishop of Kerry, arrived in Tralee. The Presentation Sisters looked after their needs until a house was provided for them. Mr. Jeffers rented a house for them in No.1 Day Place. The Sisters took possession of it on July 14th. Three Sisters came from Killarney. Soon after their arrival they began a poor school, took care of orphans and rented a house in High Street for women who needed protection, a workroom was opened to teach embroidery. The Sisters visited the Jail and the Workhouse. They opened a soup kitchen and did other charitable works. Gradually, as other young women joined the little community, accommodation became a problem and also the basement of the house was often flooded in wet weather.
Mr. John Mulchinock a benevolent businessman, built a convent for them in lands in Balloonagh. The plans were drawn up by Mr. J.J. McCarthy, a Dublin architect and the contractor was Mr. Arthur Crosbie. The foundation stone was laid 17 May 1855 and three years later on 2 July 1858 the Sisters took possession of their beautiful convent. They called it St. John the Baptist Convent generally called St. John’s. Read more
Southern Province 