Foundations
Ballymote, Ireland 1953
Bishop James Fergus, Bishop of the Diocese Achonry, Ireland, acutely aware of the needs of his people, invited the Sisters of St John of God to establish a Maternity Unit in Ballymote, County Sligo Ireland.
The first step towards bringing the proposal to reality was the identification of a house "Castle Lodge" as a suitable property. The parish priest, Canon Patrick Joseph Roughneen was very enthusiastic about the proposal and remained a constant friend and benefactor until his death.
St John of God maternity nursing unit at Ballymote functioned between January 1953 and November 1971. In 1977 the building was converted into a Geriatric Nursing Home for which there was a great need.
A new Nursing Home was built in the 1980s and "Castle Lodge" was demolished to make place for a new convent building for the Sisters.
The Sisters continued in their administration of the Nursing Home until 2001. Throughout this time there were a number of new building projects and redevelopment of the facilities to meet the changing needs.
In 1988 some of the land was donated to the Society of St Vincent de Paul for the provision of housing for elderly people of the district needing accommodation close to care facilities and other necessary services.
The site at Ballymote is now the location of a St John of God Convent, Ballymote Nursing Home and a seniors' housing development.
