About Us
Our History and our People
Our History
St. Catherine’s Sister of Mercy Convent was built in the 1840’s and opened in 1850. The order had a long and successful involvement in education in Newcastle West. It established the first Convent School in the town on April 10th 1850. As the attendance grew a new primary school, Scoil Iósaf was built on the grounds in 1887.
In 1927 the order also established a post primary school within the convent. With the introduction of free Post Primary Education in 1967 the number of students entering the Convent school increased dramatically and the then principal Sr. Dominica built a new secondary school on the grounds.
The Sisters involvement in education at both primary and post primary level continued until 1999 when the Convent closed. Work commenced in the intervening years to completely renovate and upgrade the facility to provide extensive and luxurious accommodation, facilitating all categories of care, from independent living to high dependency care.
The residence is set on 4 acres and surrounded by mature hardwood trees and landscaped lawns. The original convent building within the grounds contributes to the calm, peaceful setting, even though it is conveniently located just off the town centre.
The convent was built in a traditional style with a central block flanked by two traversing blocks. The building maintains much of its historic form and character through the retention of key historic features including tooled limestone window surrounds, quoins, slate roofs and timber sash windows. The chapel is includes finely carved timber tracery windows, tooled limestone hood mouldings and an elegant portico showcasing the skilled craftsmanship of the 1840’s.
Our Team
Anne McMahon
Director of Nursing
Anne has over 30 years experience in care of the older person in a variety of settings including residential and community respite care.
Anne agrees with the ethos of Miya Yamanouchi – “We can all make a difference in the lives of others in need, because it is the most simple gestures that make the most significant difference.”
Anne maintains continuous professional development in all aspects of Older Person care including a certificate in Infection Control from University of Limerick.
– BSc in Science in General Nursing
– Post graduate diploma in Rehabilitation of the Older Person
– Diploma in Healthcare Management.
Tianna Wrenne O’ Brien
Assistant Director of Nursing
She qualified as an RGN in 2012 and specialised in Oncology & Haematology Nursing for two years gaining a wealth of Clinical Experience. She then went back into Care of the Older person in 2014 being promoted Clinical Nurse Manager in St. Catherine’s in 2017. She has been in the Assistant Director of Nursing role since 2019.
Liz Hussey
Chartered Physiotherapist
She graduated from the University of Limerick in 2011 with BSc. (Hons) Degree in Physiotherapy and a Diploma in Psychology from HSI Business School.
She has wide-ranging skills, knowledge and experience in the Care of the Elderly and musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
Liz has specialised for over 6 years in the area of Care of the Elderly and maintains her skillset with Continuous Professional Development as a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.