Civic reception marks local contribution of religious orders

Athlone and Moate Municipal District recently bestowed the honour of a Mayoral Address of Recognition to the religious orders that established four schools in the region, and contributed to the education of many thousands of pupils, dating back to the eighteenth century.

During her address of recognition, Mayor of the Athlone/Moate Municipal District Cllr Louise Heavin, also acknowledged the “bad things” and “deep hurt” that many felt during their time in the education institutions, and called for a moment of silence for them.

The Mayoral award was granted to the Carmelite Priory, La Sainte Union, Marist Brothers and the Mercy Sisters in acknowledgment to their service to the district.

At the reception last week at Athlone Civic Centre, Willie Ryan, Acting District Manager, commented to the gathering about them being ‘probably the largest crowd or congregation’ that has been in the chamber. The group was made up of many former teachers and personnel connected with the religious orders, and many of them travelled back to Athlone for the occasion.

Mayor Heavin humorously told the audience that she is not usually nervous, but she was a “bit nervous at the prospect of standing up in front,” of her former teachers.

She went on to praise the different religious orders and gave a brief history of each of them, dating back to the founding of the Carmelite Community in Moate in 1770.

“Some of the schools here today were the learning ground for members of my own family. My father attended the Marist College in Athlone and my mother boarded at the Mercy convent in Moate,” said the Mayor. “I too attended the community school in Moate and my daughter is in her first year at the Mixed National School in Athlone.”

The Mayor also talked about being a campaigner for the State to provide an education system that is detached from religion, inclusive of all people.

“In doing so I don’t want to diminish the excellent education many received in religious schools,” said Mayor Heavin.

She further said that it is devastating for a child when trust is broken.

“I don’t want to stand in front of you today and pretend that bad things didn’t happen in our institutions,” said the Athlone Mayor. “There might be some people here who have been let down by colleagues. There are certainly people in our community that have been let down by people entrusted with their care. This event will be publicised in the paper and online and for some may bring back the trauma they suffered many years ago. It’s really important to acknowledge the hurt caused and for that reason I am going to ask all of you to take a moment’s silence to reflect on this and the part that our institutions, religious or state run played in this.”

All in the gathering remained silent for a period.

Representatives from each of the groups addressed the invited audience.

Fr. Jimmy Murray, Carmelite Order, talked about the history of the Carmelites and said that many Moate boys cycled to the Marist College in Athlone, before the Carmelite school opened in 1949.

“I’d like to thank the councillors because it’s great that it’s been acknowledged, for those who contributed a lot and for those who provided education, who thought they were forgotten,” said Fr. Murray.

Sr Denise of the La Sainte Union (Bower, Athlone) read an historical letter from April 24, 1884, which coincidentally was dated exactly 140 years to the date of the Address of Recognition.

The letter told of the first Bower nuns to arrive in Athlone and their greeting by a Mr Maxwell, the then Town Commissioner.

“The town councillors honouring us today are carrying on that history of kindness and acknowledgment of our work,” said Sr Denise. “We’d like to say 'Thank You' to the council who are working so hard, enhancing the environment in Athlone and working to maintain the beauty in Athlone.”

Nicholas Smith, spoke on behalf of the Marist brothers and he was one of a gathering of brothers at the event, which included Br. Colman Parker, (a native of Tubberclair) who was Principal of Marist College from 1963-69, before he was replaced by Br. Gerard RIP.

“I’d like to thank the people of Athlone for the support they’ve given us and those gone before us, and also we’d like to thank the Municipal District for the recent refurbishment of the statue in St Mary’s Place,” said Nicholas Smith.

He also mentioned the comments made by the Mayor during her speech, as well as giving thanks for the recognition.

“It all wasn’t good news and we acknowledge that as well and are really really humbled by what you’ve done,” he said.

Margaret Farrell representing the Mercy Sisters told of the first of her sisters arriving in Athlone in 1853 by boat up the Shannon from Limerick.

“They docked at St. Peter’s Port, which is now known as ‘Sr Bernard Quay’!” said Margaret Farrell.

She also talked about the Mercy school beginning in Kilbeggan in 1880, which had 200 students at the end of their first month.

“Our greatest legacy is the boys and girls who passed through our schools, I hope we helped in some small way to develop their full potential and they in turn are helping to make Irish society and the world become a caringplace,where all our citizens are valued and cared for,” she said.

The Mayor then presented scrolls to each representative detailing the address of recognition.

Cllr Frankie Keena, who had originally proposed the orders getting the recognition from the council, said after the ceremony that he was delighted to have brought forward the motion, in recognition of the Religious Orders.

“The event was very well attended today by the religious community and they were delighted to be here to receive the recognition from the council,” said Cllr Keena. “It gave them an opportunity to give their addresses and to share stories of times past.

Personally, I think it was important to acknowledge the role played in the area by the religious orders that provided education for the people of the town.”