Closure of the Mercy Convent Loughrea

Closure of the Mercy Convent Loughrea

The Convent of Mercy on Cross Street will officially close on Friday, 25 March 2022.

Monsignor Cathal Geraghty, P.P., V.G. said the following in this Sundays church newsletter,

‘I express deep gratitude to the Sisters of Mercy for all they have done for the Loughrea Community over many years. The sisters are not leaving Loughrea. They will still have a presence in the parish with a Mercy Community on Lake Road. However, the closure of the convent building is a significant change to the life and landscape of Loughrea.

The Sisters of Mercy were invited to Clonfert Diocese in 1850 by Bishop Derry and spread to five towns in the diocese. Loughrea was the ‘Mother House’ and the present Convent was built c 1880. It has served as a home for the Sisters from where they ministered to the community in the fields of Education, Health Care, Pastoral Care and Social Work. It was also the place where they gathered in prayer invoking God’s blessing on our community.

Generations of Mercy Sisters have served our parish with dedication from St. Rapheal’s Convent, Cross Street. There is understandable sadness associated with the closure of the building but the good work of the Sisters will live on, especially in the hearts of those whose lives were enriched by the ministry of the Sisters of Mercy.

I wish the Sisters well as they move to various locations and I am glad that there will continue to be Mercy Sisters resident in the parish. Thank you for the good you have done and may God reward you and bless you in the future.’

Clonfert Diocese website: clonfertdiocese.ie
St. Brendan’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Loughrea website: loughreacathedral.ie

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