Identity Statement
| Title | Loreto Convent Omagh |
| Archive Reference | IE LA/OMA |
| Web Link to this Entry | https://iar.ie/archive/loreto-convent-omagh |
| Creation Dates | 1859-2008 |
| Level of Description | Fonds |
| Extent Medium | 17 Archival Boxes + Outsize Items |
Context
Creator(s): Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto) Community, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
-
Administrative History ↴
The Loreto foundation in Omagh, Co. Tyrone was established on 22 October 1855 on the invitation of Rev. Manasses O’Kane, P.P. Omagh. Rev. Mother Felicitas Murray, niece of Dr Daniel Murray, Archbishop of Dublin, accompanied by five other sisters were responsible for the foundation. Like Navan and Fermoy, the Omagh foundation were diocesan foundations, independent of the Mother House in Rathfarnham, Dublin, and the community and schools were subject to the authority of the local bishop, the Bishop of Derry. In 1934 Omagh and its branch house, Coleraine were reunited with the mother house in Rathfarnham. The decision to amalgamate was voted on by the community, and was passed by one deciding vote in favour. The members of the community in Omagh were almost all from the local environs, and were strongly embedded in the local community. The traditions and customs observed in Omagh were singular to it, having developed independently from Rathfarnham. Although reunited with Rathfarnham, the older members of the community continued to observe their traditional customs and observances. Due to declining community numbers, and the unsuitability of convent accommodation, the community departed the convent in February 2001. -
Archival History ↴
These papers were created, or received, by the local Superiors and members of the community of Loreto from 1858 - 2008. Material was periodically transferred to Loreto Central and Irish Province Archives. -
Immediate Source Acquisition ↴
Official Transfer
Content & Structure
-
Scope & Content: Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto) Community, Omagh, Co. Tyrone ↴
The papers of the Loreto community Omagh, Co. Tyrone document the history of the Loreto foundation in Omagh. Although the foundation had been established in 1855, the records of the community only begin in 1859.
Community records include annals of the community from 1867; accounts for the general community, (which include school accounts) and Mount Grace nursing unit; minutes of local council meetings, visitation reports, personal papers of some sisters,
Series of limited material relating to Loreto Convent Secondary School Omagh include minutes of the governing body; register of examinations and subjects taken by pupils of Loreto Convent Secondary School Omagh, file of cuttings from local newspaper reporting on annual prizegiving ceremonies, celebrations to mark 150th anniversary of Loreto Omagh and the visit of President Mary McAleese in February 2005.
Series relating to building work, including the construction of the new convent in 1859, a new wing in 1878, and later works undertaken in 1861, 1894, 1905, 1930, 1950 and 1954. The installation of a new organ, installation of electricity in 1923 and the opening of a nursing unit in 1984 are also included.
Photographs of Loreto Omagh in the early 20th century, and photographs of the farewell ceremony held, to mark the departure of the community from the convent in February 2001.
Assorted material relating to the history of Loreto Convent Omagh.
Linsfort House, Buncrana, Co. Donegal purchased as a holiday home in 1928, material relating to building and renovation work, use as a centre for peace and reconciliation and photographs. -
Appraisal Destruction ↴
Permanent Retention -
Arrangement ↴
Previous arrangement and cataloguing of the papers had been undertaken in the General Archives, but a decision was taken in 2009 to update the catalogues in order to bring them to ISAD(G) 2006 standards. Care has been taken, where possible, to retain the original order in which the documents were arranged. The fonds has been arranged into ten series: Annals; Finance; Local Council Meetings; Visitations; Members of the Community; Schools; Buildings; Legal Material; Photographs and History of Omagh.
Conditions of Access & Use
| Access Conditions | Generally Open Access by Prior Appointment. Some access restrictions may apply, and access is at the discretion of the Archivist. |
| Conditions Governing Reproduction | Reproduction is dependent on condition of original item |
| Creation Dates | 1859-2008 |
| Level of Description | Fonds |
| Extent Medium | 17 Archival Boxes + Outsize Items |
| Material Language Script | English |
| Characteristics Tech Req | Bound volumes + loose documents. Some items may be difficult to read. Careful handling is required. |
| Finding Aids | Catalogue can be consulted in Loreto Central and Irish Province Archives, Reading Room. Archive Web Link → |
Allied Materials
There are no Allied Materials
Descriptive Control Area
| Archivist Note | Áine Mc Hugh |
| Rules/Conventions | ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description. 2nd ed. Ottowa: International Council on Archives, 2000. |
| Date of Descriptions | September 2011 + April 2012 |