Poor Clare Convent.
Graiguecullen 1893-1929
Extracts from the Diary of a Member of
the Community.
In the early part of the last century a
remarkable woman restored the Strict Observance of the Poor
Clare Colletine Rule. Mére Dominique Berlament made several
foundations in England between 1850 and 1860. In one of these
Foundations at Levenshulme, near Manchester the majority of the
Community were Irish. This led to the hope of a Foundation in
Ireland.
After many years of prayer and hope, a
Drogheda gentleman offered to build a Convent provided the Poor
Clares could find a Bishop willing to receive them into his
diocese. The Most Rev. Dr. Lynch, Kildare and Leighlin accepted
the foundation on these conditions but when everything was
practically arranged Mr. X commuted his promise to an offer of a
hotel in the neighbourhood of Drogheda. What was to be done!
Abandon the Carlow Foundation and remain in Levenshulme. Mother
Seraplime, the Superioress of the New Community decided to go to
Carlow.
POOR CLARES IN IRELAND
On April 25th, 1893 Mother Mary
Seraphine (Bowe), the Abbess of the First Irish Foundation,
accompanied by Mother Angela (Tait) Vicaress, left the Convent
in Manchester arriving in Drogheda on 26th April. They were
followed a week later by three others, destined to be the living
foundation stones. Sister Ann Herbuta (McShee), First Portress;
Sr. M. Agnes (Conway), Sacristan; Sr. Clare Stanislaus (]ones),
Second Portress. These three came direct to Carlow-Graigue
whither Mothers Seraphine and Angela had preceded them. With Dr.
Bilsbones permission, they came to Drogheda in the hope of
having a personal interview with Mr. X. when the Sisters called
to his residence to see him, they were told he was too ill to
receive visitors. The Sisters were received with open arms and
given hospitality at the Dominican Convent. When the Sisters
received a communication from “Mr. X.” that he was unwilling to
adhere to his original offer, they decided to travel to Tullow
(Co. Carlow) and pay their respects to the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr.
Lynch.
The Bishop gave them a warm welcome, and
arranged for the Sisters to stay at the Brigidine Convent.
IN CARLOW
On May 1st, 1893 the Sisters arrived in
Carlow, their final destination. They were temporarily housed
“on the Bridge” in an old building. The then Parish Priest had
hopes of securing within a short time a more commodious and
suitable house adjoining the Parochial Church (now St. Fiacc’s
Hall). The purchase price was considered too high and
negotiations were broken off. The Sisters would have wished
their Convent adjoined the Church. If they had obtained their
desire then. The Poor Clare Convent today would not adjoin the
new Parochial Church.
ON THE BRIDGE
There were now five Sisters in the
Community so the House of the Bridge had to be turned into a
more or less permanent home. The kindness of the Parish Priest
and the College Priests removed the inconvenience of the Sisters
having to go out to attend Mass in the Parish Church. The Curate
with the permission of the Parish Priest celebrated Mass on
week-days and the College Priests on Sundays. With the privilege
of Mass in the House a little Alter came from the Parish
Priest’s private Oratory, he also gave them a loan of a
Monstrance. A Franciscan Missal was the gift of the Fathers at
Merchants Quay.
About this time improvements were made
to the House. A carpenter’s shed attached to the residence was
converted into an Oratory. The writer of the diary records that
everyone was most helpful and generous. A Dublin lady arranged
for a supply of fish from a Dublin Merchant, eggs were supplied
by a country woman, also the people of Carlow and Graigue; later
Graigue-Cullen took the Poor Clares to their hearts and supplied
all their needs.
NEW CONVENT BUILT
In the year 1899 a beautiful site for a
proposed new Convent was obtained. The site the Sisters wished
to acquire was part of a field of eight acres— the owner who was
a Quaker- was unwilling to sell. On the owner’s death all his
property was put up for Auction; but there was no bid for the
field. Fr. A. Murphy went to the unfailing source of help to the
Sisters, the late Mr. Michael Governey. He replied “I will buy
the field and give the Poor Clares as much of it as they need.”
The site once secured, building proceeded rapidly, and on July
22nd, 1900, the Convent, though not completely finished, was
ready for occupation. The Community left their “Rivo Torto” on
Graigue Bridge, and went in procession, headed by his Lordship,
Most Rev. Dr. Patrick Foley and Clergy to their new home. The
Bishop blessed the Convent and enclosed the Community. Shortly
afterwards, through the generosity of the McCann family of
Donnybrook, Dublin-—one of whom was a member of the
Community—the little extern Chapel was built.
NEW CHURCH
The Bruen Memorial Church (St. Anne’s)
on the Athy Road had been unused for some years. It was
purchased by the late Rev. J. Fogarty, P.P. about 1927. It was
taken down stone by stone and transferred to site on the other
side of the River Barrow; where it was re-erected. The
foundation stone was laid by the late Most Rev. Dr. M. Cullen on
Ascension Thursday, 1928 and the Church was opened for public
worship in October 1929.
Source:
Carloviana Dec 1974 Vol 2. No 23 Pages 18 & 27
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