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The Region of Ireland began in Wales almost by accident, as a consequence of war. In 1939 there was a small group of Sisters of St. Joseph working in India in comparative isolation.
Because of a need for vocations ,it was decided to send two Irish Sisters to Ireland to recruit for the Indian Mission in Sagar. Accordingly Srs. Stanislaus and Bridget arrived in Ireland.
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The Haven, Crickhowell |
They visited their families and were introduced to young girls who were interested in entering religious life.
Unfortunately it was the outbreak of World War II and the two Sisters were unable to return to India.at that time.
They arrived in Holyhead in Wales and made their way to a small village - Crickhowell, Breconshire in South Wales.
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They visited their families and were introduced to young girls who were interested in entering religious life.
Unfortunately it was the outbreak of World War II and the two Sisters were unable to return to India.at that time.
They arrived in Holyhead in Wales and made their way to a small village - Crickhowell, Breconshire in South Wales.
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| St. Joseph's was the first community to be established in South Wales. Some time later a Novitiate was set up to receive women aspiring to Religious Life - St. Michael's Convent.
In the early 50's vocations were coming to St. Michael's Novitiate in Crickhowell - all from Ireland. It became more and more desirable to open a house in Dublin.
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St. Joseph's Convent
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In 1956 the Sisters were invited by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid to open a private Nursing Home on the North side of Dublin which was beginning to expand. The Congregation purchased "Edenmore" a lovely estate in Raheny.Work began to transform one of the houses on the estate into a suitable Nursing Home.
On the 1st. May 1958 St. Joseph's Nursing home was formally blessed and opened by Archbishop McQuaid. From this small beginning the Nursing Home progressed over the years and eventually became St. Joseph's Private Hospital. |
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St. Joseph's Hospital
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In 1970 The Sisters moved from the third floor of the Hospital which had been their home since 1958 to the convent which had been converted from one of the existing buildings.
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The Hospital was sold in 1997. The present owners the HSE (Health Service Executive) is in the process of building two 50 bedded Nursing Home Units on the grounds to cater for the growing demand for Residential Health Care for the elderly in the area.
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| In March 2009, the Sisters relinquished their home and moved to a new convent on the grounds of the hospital ..This was to enable the HSE to proceed with their plan. to build nursing home units on the grounds of St. Joseph's Hospital. |
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Clontarf
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In 1976 a house was purchased in Clontarf, Dublin. Following refurbishment the house was named St. Joseph's which was blessed. by Bishop O'Mahony.
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Wales
Meanwhile in Wales in July 1960 Bishop Petit, Bishop of Menevia requested Sisters to housekeep for him.and two priest secretaries in Wrexham, North Wales. The sisters undertook this work for twelve years until Bishop Petit retired. A house was then purchased in Wrexham for the community.
Further along the North Wales Coast in Caernarfon there was a small Catholic Primary School. Bishop Petit requested two sisters to teach there. On the 15th. August 1961 four Sisters moved into a house which was bought near the school.
In April 1989 a pre-school nursery was set up in the existing house in Caernarfon. This continued for fifteen years.
Current Situation in Wales.
In 2004 the house in Caernarfon was sold and the mission of the Sisters there discontinued... The community moved to Dublin to the House in Clontarf. The community in Wrexham continued under the auspices of the Generalate in Rome.
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