Athlone street to be named after much-loved local nun

A much-loved nun who spent over 50 years of her life working in the community of Athlone up to the time of her tragic death in a road traffic accident last October is to have a street named in her honour.

An area along the town’s Western bank of the Shannon currently known as ‘The Docks’ or the Quays is to be renamed as ‘Sr. Bernard Way.’

The proposal to dedicate a street in Athlone in honour of the late Sr. Bernard came from Fianna Fail Cllr and former Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, who tabled it at the May meeting of the Municipal District, after which it went out to public consultation.

The July monthly meeting, which approved the proposal, heard that 12 submissions had been received from members of the public, all of which agreed that the streets should be renamed in honour of Sr. Bernard.

In his submission, Damien Cornally, foreman with the OPW, described Sr. Bernard as “a valued member of the community, and a great friend to all the OPW members that worked in the area over the years.

Another from Liam McKenna, described the late nun as a “once in a lifetime individual who has done more for the people of Athlone and surrounding area than anyone ever has, or ever will, right up to her untimely passing.”

A third submission, from Damien Murtagh, said it was “a credit” to Sr. Bernard for the work she had done for the people of Athlone. “She did it all as a volunteer and all on her own so, therefore, in my opinion, I think it’s the least that should be done for her.”

The late Sr. Bernard, who was a member of the Sisters of Mercy congregation, was a native of Arigna, in county Roscommon, but she made her home in Athlone after arriving in the town in the late 1960’s.

She worked in education for much of her life, and served as Principal of St. Peter’s National School from 1974 until her retirement in 1993. It was at that stage she became actively involved in parish ministry in St. Peter and Paul’s Parish which brought her into contact with huge numbers of families and individuals in the town.

A lifelong music lover, she conducted the Children’s Choir art Mass in Ss. Peter & Paul’s Church for many years and also served as Chaplain to St. Aloysius College in Athlone.

There was a widespread outpouring of grief when the much-loved local nun tragically passed away on Monday, October 5 last year after a single vehicle road traffic accident in Athlone.

Speaking at the May meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, at which Cllr O’Rourke proposed that a street in Athlone be named after the late Sr. Bernard, he said “she was all her life a teacher and then in retirement for so many years helped so many people, more people than we'll ever realise, and in so many ways with literacy problems, exam preparation, addiction problems, interview preparation, you name it.

“Sr Bernard gave her life to helping people and my only regret is that we didn't recognise that great work while she was with us. But I think this would be a lovely gesture given her contribution to Athlone.”