THE WORK of the Mercy order in the southwest was remembered yesterday at the unveiling of a plaque in Tralee on the site of the town's first Mercy Convent, a house at No 1 Day Place.
Mayor of Tralee Cllr Miriam McGillycuddy said the congregation's original aim was to "relieve misery, to address its causes and to support all persons who struggle for full dignity".
The order was still today at the cutting edge of the fight against poverty and "raising awareness about the causes and systemic nature of injustice both local and global".
It was one of the few opportunities in the Kerry town to have a public commemoration honouring women, she said.
Founded by Catherine McAuley in 1831, the Mercy order first came to the southwest in 1838, with the opening of a convent having taken place two year's previously in Charleville in Co Cork, Cllr McGillycuddy added.
The order spread rapidly and "a Mercy convent became a feature of the landscape of many towns and villages as well as the larger cities".
These included Cork city (1837), Wexford town (1840), Killarney (1844), Kinsale (1844), Mallow (1845), Waterford city, New Ross (1853), Tralee (1854), Callan (1872), Borris (1873), Carrick-on-Suir (1874).
The Tralee nuns opened a "house of Mercy" providing day accommodation for young women at risk.
They received support and instruction and were taught needlework and other crafts. Part of the convent was used for children at risk.
The Sisters of Mercy in Tralee visited the local prison three times weekly and in 1855 they opened a soup kitchen to tackle the problem of hunger in the town.
The sisters were still involved in teaching, nursing and catering in various ways for those who are needy in the area.
This included providing residential care such as Wellsprings in Cork city, a residential care centre to meet the needs of young women who were out of home, or required assistance towards independent living.
The order was also involved with the Traveller community, women's groups, prayer ministry, parish work counselling and spiritual direction.
The past decade had seen the order involved in complementary therapies, in the treatment of addictions and in work with asylum seekers.
"The Mercy order now very much follows Catherine McAuley's original precepts when she said that 'the poor need help today, not next week'," Cllr McGillycuddy said.
The Mayor of Tralee also said she wanted to thank the former Kerry county librarian, Kathleen Browne, for pursuing the project to commemorate the work of the sisters.
It was "a project which celebrates women and the work of the women".
"For years I have been highlighting that Tralee Town Council names roundabouts, roads, lanes, streets and commemorate buildings after famous men and there was a complete dearth of celebration of famous women.
"Queen Scotia [legendary founder of Tralee] did not even get a look-in, " Cllr McGillycuddy added.