WHEN the Poor Clares nuns arrived in the frontier town, 174 years ago, little did they realise that, one-day, their pupils would be top of the schools in the north for examination results; All-Ireland senior camogie champions; All-Ireland colleges� senior football finalists of 2003; and recent winners of the grammar schools� choir contest, organised by Ulster Television.

Based in the multi-purpose complex at Ashgrove, officially opened in 1985, the Sacred Heart Grammar School was the first to have a computerised library system, with Mrs Teresa Fleming in charge, while a new Science and Technology block came on stream, ten years ago. And their website has also been taking many hits.

On the sporting scene, netball has also proved very rewarding, with students winning numerous titles over the years. Some have gone on to play for leading clubs. Indeed, Caroline O�Hanlon received international honours, and was part of the Northern Ireland squad, which competed in the World Championships at Jamaica.

But tragedy struck when the P.E. Instructor, Philomena Gilmore, a member of the Ulster netball squad, lost her life, trying to save a youth who got into difficulties, while swimming near Newcastle in the1980�s. The Gilmore Trophy is a prestigious prize for annual competition.

Deeply involved in sport was Warrenpoint-born Sister Mark Hollywood, trainer of the Sacred Heart squad, managed by Fr Anthony Davies, which captured the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship in 1971. A former pupil, head girl and later School Principal, Sister Mark established a mountaineering club, leading groups of pupils across glaciers in Iceland, and ascending peaks in Kenya and Iran.

A member of the N.I. Sports Council, this vivacious and athletic nun received the prestigious Winston Churchill Award for exploration. After presiding over the closure of the old secondary school at Castle Street, and the official opening of the new complex at Ashgrove in 1985, Sister Mark left for the missions to the poor in El Salvador, where she is still based.

Another sportsperson is the present vice-principal, Hugh McShane, who competed in the Carnbane League, and also played for Newry Mitchels G.F.C.

The principal, Sister Julie McGoldrick, M.A., a native of Scotland, is also an avid follower of sport, especially Glasgow Celtic. And she was able to report on a �remarkably successful year,� at the 2004 annual prize-giving, referring to how 25 students had achieved three A grades or more at A Level, with a 91 per cent pass rate for A-C grades. 23 students had achieve nine A*-A grades or more at GCSE level, with a 100 per cent pass rate at A*-C grades in five or more subjects.

�This again ranks us among the top schools in Northern Ireland, and indeed, in the U.K.,� added the principal, congratulating all the students, �each of whom has been successful in her own unique way, and has reached her full potential by doing her very best, allowing her true colours to shine true.�

Such achievements were far beyond the dreams of those early pioneers, who had established the secondary school at Castle Street in 1930, with 70 pupils and four lay teachers. The first principal was also a lay-person, Angela Chambers. First two nuns to join the staff were Sisters Marie Celine Turley and Teresa Fitzpatrick, who later became principal and vice-principal.

Initially, the Poor Clares had come to Ireland in 1629, and maintained their presence despite the Penal Times, expulsions and persecutions. In the early 1800�s, there was much poverty and destitution in Newry, with a great need for Catholic education. So Bishop of Dromore, Dr Kelly appealed to the Order of the Poor Clares, based in Dublin, to establish a school in Newry.

So in 1830, Mother Abbess Mary Tracey, accompanied by four Sisters and Fr Fitzpatrick from Dromore diocese, arrived in the frontier town. It took tremendous courage, for they were the first religious to cross the Boyne since the Reformation. A house was purchased at High Street, as the bishop, clergy and laity contributed from sparse resources.

The foundation stone for a school and chapel were laid. Within a year, about 400 children were attending the school. And a local newspaper paid tribute to the Sisters for �their instruction of poor female children in the ways of virtue, and for rescuing the orphans. Older girls were taught embroidery and lace-making. And such a high standard did they reach that, in the 1850�s, prizes were won at the International Industrial Exhibition in London.�

Records in Newry Library also refer to a visit to St Clare�s School by the famous Daniel O�Connell, after which he wrote: �I note especially the neatness and cleanliness of the children, the superior style of their pronunciation, and thorough understanding of what they read, the proper application of emphasis and division of sentences in reading.�

An Inspector of the National Education Board reported on an examination of 500 pupils in 1852: �All the classes must be highly commended on their proficiency in reading, writing, arithmetic and geography. Their answering evinced a readiness and proficiency quite astonishing in persons so young.�

For centuries, the people of Newry had been cut off from Catholic worship, apart from Mass-rocks, so when a Crib was erected for the first time in the convent chapel in 1858, it became a place of pilgrimage. Then, in 1860, the first May procession of pupils took place in the convent grounds, later joined by adults. The following year, Mother Abbess O�Hagan started a lending library in the town.

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