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Celebrations by the Town Honour Carlow's 'Magnificent Seven'
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Editor: Both Sheila Carney rsm and John McDarby contributed to this account of the celebrations.
November 4, 2018, marked the 175th anniversary of the departure of seven Mercy Sisters from Saint Leo's Convent, Carlow, Ireland, bound for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States. We don’t know what weather accompanied them as they began their journey but on this November morning, the drizzle that greeted the gathered did nothing to dampen their spirits. John McDarby, descendent of Veronica McDarby, one of the seven missionaries, greeted the crowd and introduced Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Laughlin and Kildare who spoke about the significance of this day in the history of Carlow. Following his remarks the bishop, joined by Sister Kathleen Kennedy of the Carlow Mercy community and Sister Sheila Carney, representing both the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and Carlow University, Pittsburgh, unveiled a plaque.
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Some of the large crowd that attended the celebrations pictured in front of the plaque
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Bishop Denis Nulty (Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin), Kathleen Kennedy rsm (Past Principal of St Leo's), Sheila Carney rsm (Americas, Special Assistant to the President of Carlow University, Pittsburgh), unveiling the plaque at the convent gate on Dublin Road, Carlow
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John McDarby, descendant of Veronica McDarby & principal organiser of the event, greeting the crowd
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Msgr Caoimhín Ó Néill (Kevin O'Neill), former President of St Patrick's College, Carlow
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Sr Sheila with the St Leo's students who enacted the pageant representing the early days of the Sisters in Pittsburgh. The student with the lavendar ribbons on her bonnet played Frances Warde. The students are holding the honorary degrees awarded each of the Carlow Seven by Carlow University, Pittsburgh
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Chairperson of Carlow County Council, Councillor Brian O'Donoghue with Sheila Carney rsm and the presentation
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Close up of aspects of the gift
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Councillor Brian O'Donoghue addressing the Gathering of Sisters, family members of the Carlow 7, past & current staff & students of St Leo's, public representatives, members of the public, friends & benefactors in attendance
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Singer songwriter Justin Kelly performing his composition, 'The Ballad of Mother Agatha O'Brien
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Sheila Carney rsm with the Sisters in Carlow. Sheila is presenting them with the honorary degrees awarded to the Carlow Seven by Carlow University, Pittsburgh
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Presenting the Sisters with the Gift from the Sisters in Pittsburgh, an original art work created by Victoria Hirsch, Student at Carlow University
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St Leo's Chamber choir entertaining the gathering
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Mairead Redmond (Staff member, St Leo's College), Dr Eimear Cotter (Past Pupil, now Directorof the Office of Environmental Sustainability (OES) who gave the 8th annual Catherine McAuley lecture as part of the ceremony, and Clare Ryan (Principal, St Leo's College)
The assembly then moved inside for a variety of presentations. Msgr. Kevin O’Neill, former president of St. Patrick's College, Carlow, spoke of the seven missionaries in their Irish context. "They could never have foreseen that they were the start of an outreach that would see other Sisters go to the ends of the Earth. Sisters from St Leo's are in Africa and Brazil, as we speak,” he said. He was followed by Sr Sheila Carney who carried the story forward by speaking of the contribution each made in their new American city – Frances Warde (Adminstrator), Josephine Cullen (Educator), Agatha O’Brien (Business sense), Elizabeth Strange (Artist, writer and translator), Aloysia Strange (Educator), Veronica McDarby (Portress) and Philomena Reid (Music teacher). “These were multitalented women,” said Sr Sheila. She read a passage from the annals of St Leo’s about the departure from St Leo’s of the sisters 175 years ago and “the air being rent with the cries of weeping parents, friends and the poor.” She stated “It took the town of Carlow to raise these courageous, generous women.”
Original music created by Justin Kelly, also marked the occasion, Justin composed “The Ballad of Mother Agatha O’Brien” which he performed. Agatha was the youngest of the seven, a postulant, who had entered as a lay sister. When the time came for her profession, Bishop O'Connor refused to profess her as a lay sister because, as he said, she was "capable of ruling a nation." In 1846, Frances Warde took her on the foundation to Chicago and left her there as superior (first leader).
The program also included a pageant representing the early days the Pittsburgh, performed by St Leo's students – which they conceived, developed and presented under the direction of Janice de Bróithe. St Leo’s Chamber Choir under the direction of Mary Amond O’Brien, enthralled the full attendance.
Posthumous honorary degrees were awarded to the seven missionaries by Carlow University. In return, the Carlow County Council and the Carlow County Museum gifted the University with an original work of art created in silver and 9 ct gold, representing the relationship between the town and the University.
A good cup of tea brought the afternoon to a conclusion.
The celebration was not over, however. An evening concert was held in Saint Clare Church, Graiguecullen, the home parish of Agatha O’Brien. The concert theme was The Journey based on another original composition by Justin Kelly honoring the seven missionaries. Justin was joined by St Fiacc's National School Choir, wonderful musicians, Liam Lawton, internationally known liturgical musician and Irish actor Patrick Bergin, who not only sang but read poetry by and about his father – an Irish labor leader. The contribution of each contributed to the journey theme.
This day with its varied participants and contributions, a day of civic and religious pride, remembrance and gratitude, November 4, 2018 now takes its place alongside November 4, 1843 and will be remembered by all those passing along the Old Dublin Road where the commemorative plaque hangs.
This commemoration is part of the Carlow County Council Centenaries Committee programme for 2018, coordinated on behalf of the Council through Carlow County Museum with St. Leo's College and the Sisters of Mercy.
Messages to:
Sheila Carney rsm (Americas)
John McDarby - Carlow County Museum
Further Reading: