Presentation Convent, Bagenalstown, is located in Regent
Street and was founded on 4th August, 1838 from Carlow and
Maryborough, at the request of Rev. Dr. Prendergast of
Dunleckney. Its founding Sisters were Mother Magdalene Breen,
Sr. John Harding and Sr. Austin Keogh. It was founded because of
the need to educate the poor in religion and secular subjects
while teaching all how to pray and to relate to people in a
respectful way and to give a human and Christian education to
young people.
The initial benefactors were Mrs. Horan, Foundress and
Sister, who donated £27 in 1845 and an annuity of £27.00. The
first school dates back to 10th September, 1838. (Benefit school
opened on 1st December, 1838) An annuity of £15.00 was paid for
books. This was a new experience in education, coming only 10
years after Catholic Emancipation was achieved in 1829.
An Orange Lodge became the first convent on 4th August, 1838.
A primary school opened on 10th September 1838 - benefit school
girls paid £46.00. In the 1840s disease and death stalked the
land as crops failed, so widespread poverty led to starvation
and death. There were 11 burials of famine victims in one day in
Bagenalstown. Two blood sisters died and were the first to be
buried in the convent cemetery in 1847. As part of famine relief
1842, a small library was built and books were loaned out.
Children were fed and clothed. In the school there were
over-crowded classes in the yard.
In 1852 there was a new school and the convent was enlarged.
This remained the primary school for the next 100 years until
1957 when a new primary school was built in Regent Street. In
2007, the new primary celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Bishop
Moriarty said the open air Mass and pupils provided music. From
1967, free Education gave greater opportunities for poorer
children. More children could avail of the Leaving Certificate
examination which widened their choice of careers.
The Presentation Secondary school and De La Salle Boys school
amalgamated in 1983. A new school, Presentation de la Salle
College, was built on Royal Oak Road. The new school was a joint
venture between three trustees (Parish, de la Salle Brothers and
Presentation Sisters). There is a strong emphasis on a holistic
approach to education, on the development of self esteem and
conflict resolution skills. Fr. Damien, a de la Salle Brother,
was appointed as Principal. Mr. Eddie O’Toole became the Vice
Principal. In May 1986, the old Presentation Convent and primary
school were demolished where B.E.A.M. (Barrow Valley Enterprises
for Adult Members with Special Needs) is now located.
Source of text:
http://www.presentation-sisters.ie/
The 1911 census of Ireland shows us who was teaching in the
convent at the time
|
Surname |
Forename |
Position |
Age |
Born |
Occupation |
|
Kehoe |
Margaret |
Head of Family |
54 |
Co Wexford |
School Teacher |
|
Roche |
Margaret |
Boarder |
54 |
Co Carlow |
School Teacher |
|
Doyle |
Ellen |
Boarder |
41 |
Co Carlow |
School Teacher |
|
Wyer |
Kate |
Boarder |
53 |
Kings Co |
School Teacher |
|
Maker |
Elizabeth |
Boarder |
68 |
Co Kilkenny |
School Teacher |
|
Church |
Kate |
Boarder |
66 |
Co Derry |
School Teacher |
|
Thornton |
Margaret |
Boarder |
64 |
Co Dublin |
School Teacher |
|
Byrne |
Anne |
Boarder |
67 |
Co Carlow |
School Teacher |
|
Byrne |
Ellen |
Boarder |
67 |
Co Carlow |
School Teacher |
|
* Brennan |
Anne |
Boarder |
56 |
Queens Co |
School Teacher |
|
Wyer |
Mary |
Boarder |
59 |
Kings Co |
School Teacher |
|
Lowe |
Ellen |
Boarder |
36 |
Co Wicklow |
School Teacher |
|
Power |
Kate |
Boarder |
36 |
Co Waterford |
School Teacher |
|
Cooney |
Nora |
Boarder |
35 |
Co Clare |
School Teacher |
|
Hayes |
Ellen |
Boarder |
44 |
Co Tipperary |
School Teacher |
|
Hayes |
Anastasia |
Boarder |
40 |
Co Tipperary |
School Teacher |
|
Brereton |
Brigid |
Boarder |
36 |
Co Tipperary |
School Teacher |
|
Larkin |
Mary |
Boarder |
33 |
Co Tipperary |
School Teacher |
|
Dillon |
Elizabeth |
Boarder |
33 |
Co Carlow |
School Teacher |
|
Wynne |
Anne |
Boarder |
32 |
Co Carlow |
School Teacher |
|
Ryan |
Mary Anne |
Boarder |
29 |
Co Carlow |
School Teacher |
|
Kelly |
Kathleen |
Boarder |
25 |
Co Carlow |
School Teacher |
|
Brereton |
Teresa |
Boarder |
25 |
Co Tipperary |
School Teacher |
|
Donoher |
Ellen |
Boarder |
51 |
Co Kildare |
School Teacher |
|
Hennessy |
Ellen |
Boarder |
25 |
Co Kilkenny |
School Teacher |
|
Hennessy |
Anne |
Boarder |
18 |
Co Kilkenny |
School Teacher |
|
Ryan |
Mary |
Boarder |
31 |
Co Carlow |
School Teacher |
*
Anne Brennan was Michael Brennan's 2x Great Aunt. Her
religious name was
Sister De Sales Brennan
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