This week in 1908, this photograph was taken of a lace making class in the Convent of Mercy, Philip Street, Waterford.
On August 20, 1900, the First Mercy School in Waterford City was inaugurated. In recognition of one of the benefactors of the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, it was given the name St. Otteran's School. Philip Street served as the home of this school. It was constructed to give the young children of the nearby parishes access to a primary education. The first day of class, 210 students showed up. 400 pupils were enrolled in just four years. Every day, the Mercy Sisters who taught in the school rode in a covered carriage to and from their convent, which was situated at John's Hill and close to St. Patrick's Hospital. The current convent was constructed on Military Road in 1906, and on September 24 of that year, it was formally opened.
St. Otteran's School offered a comprehensive and high-quality education, which led to an ongoing rise in enrollment. Senior students were housed in a separate structure, the current St. Brigid's Family and Community Centre.
This photograph is courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.
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