Historic building is gifted to the people of Ballina

The Sisters of Mercy religious congregation has announced that it is to donate its former convent building in Ballina to the local community.

The announcement was made in the parish newsletter on Easter Sunday. Following detailed discussions, the Sisters have made the generous decision to gift the convent building to a newly-formed charity, Ballina Convent Regeneration CLG. This charity includes community and church representation with Fr Aidan O’Boyle, Pat Flynn, Vincent Lang and Mark Duffy serving as voluntary directors.

"We have an ambitious plan to work with the Ballina community to reopen the Convent doors to the public," said the new charity in a statement. "We hope that by the end of 2024 with the support of the wider community [that] we can hold a Christmas service in the Old Chapel of the Convent, as well as reopening the dining room as a community and event space. To realise this plan, the priorities are the repair and replacement of roofs, gutters and damaged windows, along with full electrical and heating upgrades and general enhancements."

The building is one of Ballina's oldest and most revered. The foundation stone for the convent was laid in 1863 and it was completed in 1867, becoming home to generations of nuns who served the Ballina community with distinction. 

Following its closure more than a decade ago, the building suffered from vandalism and deterioration caused by a combination of water ingress, rot and mould. Over the past two years, the Sisters have worked with the community of Ballina to discuss possible routes to revive the convent from its current condition, with the hopes of it being returned to use as an asset for the town, continuing the Sisters’ mission. The former St Mary’s Secondary School is not part of this regeneration project and was recently listed for sale on the open market. The future use of the convent building will be determined through public consultation.

Work has already been carried out by volunteers which has had a positive impact in diverting water from overflowing gutters and allowing light into each room. This has been significant in halting the continued decline of the building.

"We have been supported by the LEADER programme for an architectural conservation plan which is being completed by Vincent Coleman with the support of Simon Beale’s architectural and engineering practice," said the charity. "We received funding for an architectural lighting plan led by Dark Source, based on dark sky principles, which will celebrate the beautiful architecture and stained glass windows in a sensitive manner. We were awarded grant support from the Historic Structures Fund for repairing the gutters, windows and damaged roof of the Convent. We have also submitted an application for funding to the Heritage Council for further restoration works."

Sister Breege O’Neill, Provincial Leader Mercy Western Province, said: " 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."

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.

Cllrs Mark Duffy and Annie May Reape, in a joint statement, said: “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.”

Bishop of Killala John Fleming also welcomed the announcement.

“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.”