Celebration Mass and memorial plaque to honour Limerick woman’s lasting legacy

A MASS to commemorate a remarkable Limerick city woman is due to take place this June to mark the anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of Mercy in one local parish on the same date in 1901.

Sr. Mary Anne Ignatius O’Brien will be honoured in a special Celebration and Remembrance Mass on June 21 at 7:30pm in the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Newport, Co. Tipperary.

Her legacy, alongside that of Canon James Howard and Fr. Edmond O’Kane, is being remembered for founding the Sisters of Mercy in Newport parish on the same date in 1901.

Born and raised in Limerick City, Mary Anne O’Brien married John Greene, a Protestant from Newport, and moved into the Greene family home, Greenville.

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After her husband’s passing on December 14, 1884, she transformed their home into a convent for the Sisters of Mercy. This act of vision and generosity enabled Catholic religious life and education to take root and thrive in the rural town of Newport.

The upcoming Mass will be followed by the laying of three wreaths and the blessing of a newly installed memorial plaque. Fr. John O’Keeffe, Newport, will lead the ceremony. Tea, coffee, and sandwiches will be at O’Sullivan’s Pub nearby afterwards.

This commemoration is based on a project researched and presented by John Phayer, who has delivered a number of public lectures on the topic.

Sincere thanks are extended to Mulcair Credit Union for sponsoring the event, Newport Memorials for designing and installing the plaque, Delany-Minihan Funeral Undertakers for providing the wreaths, and Fr. O’Keeffe for officiating.

All are warmly invited to attend this special evening, which celebrates the enduring impact of a Limerick woman whose faith and leadership helped shape the spiritual and educational life of Newport.