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A Tribute to the Brigidine Sisters

at Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Tullow

1807 - 2005

In June 2005 the last Brigidine Sisters Teaching in Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Tullow retired ending 200 years of tradition.

As a priest and Bishop, the Rev. Daniel Delany was appalled by the poverty, ignorance, violence and misbehaviour of the people of the diocese in the last quarter of the 18th century. In his mind, education would be the key to the solution of all these problems

He started by organising catechism classes in Sunday school in the Parish Church in Tullow, but soon he had Sisters, in the tradition and spirit of St. Brigid of Kildare, and the early Patrician Brothers, teaching and training countless pupils in a much wider range of subjects.

As the Brigidine Sisters became established as an enclosed congregation, accommodation was provided for their classes, first in the Convent and later class rooms were built on the convent grounds.

Throughout the first eighty years of its existence this young congregation ensured the growth and development of primary and secondary education in Tullow and much further afield.

In 1888, the present Scoil Mhuire Lourdes was opened - to be doubled in size by the 1956 extension. Throughout the first 100 years of its existence, this school was staffed almost entirely by the Brigidine Sisters who gave of their salaries, their energies and their time with generosity to the building up of the enterprise that is Scoil Mhuire Lourdes to-day, where the highest standards in education and behaviour have always been maintained.

We now salute that contribution with admiration and deep gratitude. Successive generations of Tullow people owe an enormous debt to the generosity and dedication of those Brigidine sisters who taught in this school.

Those sisters did their work, true to their founder's motto fortiter et suaviter, - with strength and gentleness.

The passing on of the Catholic faith in theory and practice and the development of their pupils into happy, confident, fulfilled human beings was the basis for all their efforts. We acknowledge too the long hours spent by so many Sisters in training pupils in music, choir, elocution, art etc. to help them live life to the foil and reach their foil potential in all dimensions of their lives.

Their knowledge and understanding of the family situations from which these children were coming to school was an enormous asset - long before the term 'liaison person' was ever heard of. Their interest in those who may have been deprived somewhat intellectually or physically is evidenced by the development of the Cairdeas Centre initiated and always guided and strongly supported by the Brigidine Sisters.

The present reality is very different from the past 200 years but we can be certain the foundations laid and the traditions developed over those two centuries are being well upheld and admirably built upon by the present staff, pupils and parents. We can be sure that while winds may blow and storms rage the house built upon this solid rock will never crumble or fall.

Bro. Camillus launches the tribute book " Faoi Bhrat Bhride"

A Tribute to the Brigidine Sisters

at Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Tullow

1807 - 2005

(Available from the School - Photos from book to follow later)

Past Teachers in Tullow Sr. Maureen

Brigidine Congreational Leader Sr Louise Australia

Regina Hanely past pupil

Former Teachers in Tullow Sr's Carmel, Paula, Maureen

Former Teachers in Tullow

Former Teachers in Tullow Sr Franscesca on right

Former Teachers in Tullow

Former Teachers in Tullow

Bishop Moriarty unvails tribute plaque Sr Paula left Ann Kennelly right

Oldest lay teacher 91 years with her star pupil Lily O'Neill

Amy Carroll

Past Pupils Fran O'Toole, Bernie Byrne, Mary Phelan

The Tribute Book

" Faoi Bhrat Bhride"

A Tribute to the Brigidine Sisters

at Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Tullow

1807 - 2005

Available from the School  at €5

 

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From

" Faoi Bhrat Bhride"

A Tribute to the Brigidine Sisters

at Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Tullow

1807 - 2005

Editor Bro Camillus Regan, Patrician Brothers

Photographs and some articles

A word from the Principal

I first came to Scoil Mhuire Lourdes in 1977 as a young, newly qualified teacher. I began my career under the caring, expert and inspiring guidance of Sr. Philomena, the Principal at that time. In 1977, the teach¬ing staff comprised of 5 nuns and 3 lay teachers.

I consider myself privileged to have worked under the leadership of Sr. Philomena, Sr. Betty and Sr. Francesca and also to have worked closely with many nuns from the Brigidine Order as fellow teachers.

Since I came here, many good people have come and gone and many changes have taken place, not only in our educational system but also in our school staffing. Gradually the number of lay teachers increased as the

number of teaching sisters decreased. But, sadly, the retirement of Sr. Betty and Sr. Paula last year also her¬alded the end of an era. This school year is the first in the school's history without a Brigidine staff member. It is indeed a sad loss.

Mo bhuiochas ar son scolairi, tuismitheoiri agus foireann teagaisc Scoil Mhuire Lourdes leis na mna rial¬ta go leir idir bheo agus mharbh a raibh aon bhaint acu leis an scoil o bunaiodh i.

Go raibh mile maith agaibh agus guim Rath De oraibh go leir

Anne Kennelly

Pupils and Teachers 1890

School Staff 1978

School Staff 1973

Black and Blue

(By LILY O'NEILL, Ardoyne)

WHEN I attended the convent (over 60 years ago), we didn't have a uniform but all girls wore black stockings and garters. Also, we didn't have pencil sharpeners or biros. To sharpen our pencil we used a blade. I'm sure many people still recall the inkwell being filled and the old pen and nib for writing.

One day, I foolishly cut holes in my black stockings with the aforementioned blade. To my horror, the white skin of my legs could easily be seen. I knew I would get into mighty big trouble with the teacher. I needed a quick plan. The ink! My saviour would be the black ink in the inkwell. This, I rubbed vigorously around the holes in the socks, delighted with myself. Delighted, that is, until I realised that the black ink was really blue! You can imagine the rest!

Past Pupils

Mr. & Mrs. Hogan, Sr. Margaret Mary Dunne, Sr. Declan Murphy, Sr Ita Kelly, Sr vincent Hayden

Boys and Girls together

Mick Flynn Remembers
By ROISIN FLYNN (5th Class)

WHEN I asked Mick Flynn what age he was he said, "86 looking forward to 96"! He started school in 1925. In those days, the boys and the girls all started together in the Convent school. They remained together until they had completed 1st class and then the boys went their separate way and joined the boys Monastery School.

Others who started school with Mick in 1925 included Ned Eustace, Eddie Keating, Rita Kelly, Tony Whelan,(RIP) Monsignor Creede,(RIP) Mick Mulhall(RIP) and Laz Murphy(RIP). In all there were around twenty in the class.

At that time, all the teachers were nuns. Those whom Mick remembers best are Mother Michael, Mother Paul, Mother Peter, Mother Gonzaga and Mother Ignatius. He has very fond memories of Mother Peter who was very kind to children. At break time everyone got cocoa from Mother Gonzaga. For those who did not have lunch she gave bread also. If you were very helpful to Mother Gonzaga you might be treated to a slice of apple tart.

There was no uniform when Mick started school. He remembers that on his first day he wore a geansai and pants bought by his mother from Alexander's the local drapers. Rules had to be kept and for being disobedient, you got a slap on the hand.

At break time Mick and his friends played tig and hopscotch in the playground (just like I play today). So from a teaching staff of all nuns to no nuns there have been many changes but it's nice to see that something has remained the same.

Sr Pascal with first communion children

Feish 1959

The New Extension Mr Rafferty Dept. of Education, Mgr. Conway,

Mr. Mulcay Minister for Education Bishop Keogh, Mgr. Miller

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