History of the convent and

the town of killeshandra

By Megan Johnston and Paul Clail

For 60 years Killeshandra was home to one of the world's greatest

missionary endeavours.

Young women left Killeshandra to bring education, health care

and, most important of all, the Christian message to the African
peoples. Through their courage, their total commitment, their
dedication, they have made an enormous contribution to the
development of many third world countries.

Throughout the length and breadth of Ireland the sisters were simply and
affectionately known as the 'Killeshandra nuns'. To tell their story is to tell
the story of some of the bravest and most dedicated women ever to leave

these shores

Killeshandra town history

In 1846 Killeshandra was described as occupying a romantic site

on a gently rising ground environed by a chain of interesting lakes
and consists of a spacious and well built street in the centre which
is a well arranged, neatly constructed market house. At this time it
was flourishing and had one of the best markets for linen in the
courts with many of the local population employed in its
manufacture.
Castle Hamilton was then the seat of R.H. Southwell, for many
years the MP of Cavan. By 1856 James Hamilton, a wine merchant
from Dublin, had purchased the estate. Castle Hamilton was burned
accidently in 1911 when a heater in one of the chicken houses was
overturned and the resultant fire quickly spread, not only to the
other chicken houses, but also to the estate house itself.
By the late 1850s the prosperity of Killeshandra was evident. There
were numerous corn mills in the parish and a flax mill in the vicinity
of the town owned by James Hamilton. There were two forges, one
in Church St. and one in Yewer Lane. There was a total of 141
houses in the town, 83 on Main St., 29 in Castle Lane, and 29 in
Yewer Lane. There was a police barracks, a courthouse, a market
house, a butter market and a dispensary.

Pictures of Convent and of

Killeshandra.