Sisters of Mercy Convent
Convent of the Immaculate Conception
The Great Convent Revival
The convent, built in 1867 by the Sister of Mercy has laid vacant and in a state if dereliction since its closure. Cllr. Mark Duffy, was approached by members of the Sisters of Mercy order – who once called the convent their home – encouraging a regeneration project.
Plan for 2025 and 2026
We hope that by the end of 2025 with the support of the wider community, we will hold a Christmas service in the Old Chapel of the Convent and repair all gutters and downpipes on the south side of the convent. In spring 2026 we will restore 27 of the traditional wooden sash windows by the end of January.
Academic Support
As we set about the vision to revive the convent, we worked with University College Dublin’s (UCD) Centre for Irish towns who have been a great help in guiding us in the early stages. UCD have an emerging relationship with the University of Notre Dame’s church property division who have also been an incredible help lending their experience, expertise and support.
Grant Aid
The LEADER programme supported an architectural conservation plan, and an architectural lighting. The Heritage Community Fund is supporting repairing the gutters and downpipes. The Community Recognition Fund will support restoration of traditional windows. We have received amazing support from the Ardelle and Theresa Glazer Foundation for which we are extremely grateful.
HeritACT
HeritACT is a project funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe Fund in association with the New European Bauhaus. It is based across three locations: Milan, Italy; Elsfina, Greece; and Ballina, Ireland. Each country has buildings of architectural heritage value that are no longer used for what they were built for. See www.heritact.eu for more information.
History
The Sisters of Mercy arrived at Ballina on October 14th, 1851 following the devastation of the Great Famine. On their arrival, the humanitarian situation was dire, with disease, unemployment, mass emigration and extremely low levels of access to education and healthcare. The Sisters of Mercy went to work and by the 5th of December of that year, had taken charge of the female national school, where 4 Sisters taught 350 students. By May of 1867, having secured a site from the Bourke Family, the convent of the Immaculate Conception, All Hallows, opened its doors for the first time on McDermott Street, Ballina.
From their arrival in 1851 the Sisters of Mercy devoted their lives to health, education and social good, specifically targeting the disadvantaged and those most in need in the Ballina community. The Sisters led the delivery of ambitious projects including the opening of St. Joseph’s hospital as well as Scoil Iosa primary school and St. Mary’s secondary school.
What people are saying
“As bishop, I greatly appreciate the continued generosity of the Sisters of Mercy, as this ambitious project seeks to save the historic convent. The Sisters have made an incredible contribution to the town of Ballina. This project will celebrate their story and help use it as a continued force for good in our community of Ballina.”
Bishop John Fleming of Killala Diocese
“It is with joy and hope that we the Sisters of Mercy, Western Province, entrust the Convent of Mercy building to the people of Ballina and surrounding area. We pay tribute to the dreams, enthusiasm and dedication of the Ballina Convent Regeneration Company who have embarked on the restoration of this building. We look forward to the completion of the project when the convent doors will open once more to contribute to a new and exciting chapter in the development of Ballina.”
Sister Breege O’Neill, Provincial Leader Mercy Western Province
“We thank the Sisters of Mercy for entrusting this historic building to the Ballina community. The Sisters have left a remarkable legacy. This is an exciting new chapter in the development of community infrastructure, and we look forward to hearing your ideas, proposals and suggestions for how this building can best serve the community of Ballina and North Mayo. We hope that everyone can get behind this ambitious project.”
Cllr. Mark Duffy and Cllr. Annie-May Reape, Mayo County Council.
Location
Convent of Mercy, McDermott Street, Ballina, County Mayo, F26T3P1 CHY23170 RCN 20206720
Related Websites
If you would like to be kept updated on the revival project, or would like to share memories or information that might help our efforts, please email us on: ballinaconvent@gmail.com, or drop any old photographs / information into the Cathedral’s pastoral centre any time between 10 – 2 pm Monday to Friday.
Contact us
ballinaconvent@gmail.com
Thank you for your response. ✨
Ballina Convent Regeneration CLG 