It has often been said that the “people’s pennies” built the Convent in Armagh. Dr Phil Kilroy RSCJ, in her article on The Society of the Sacred Heart in Armagh (1851 - 1859) from Seanchas Ard Mhacha, outlines from the archives how the money was raised to build the convent.
A poor country woman who in prayer heard of the need of the convent, first fasted and then walked and gave one shilling the fruit from her fast. Another came week after week and gave one penny or half a penny. A poor beggar woman brought 1 1/2 pence each week. Once she had only a halfpenny, and when she gave the money the nun said it was too much "for it is all you have". "Oh no," answered the poor woman, "nothing could be too much if I can only help to build the new Convent. I won't see it, but I'll know it's there for the glory of God".
Farmers continued to come with their ploughs, harrows and horses. Well-todo Catholics, few in number, gave generous contributions towards the building. Primate Dixon and his priests begged from door to door for the convent building, as well as giving as much as they could themselves - £46 from Dr. Dixon and £5 from each priest.
Another woman gave a present of freshly made butter as she had no money to offer. A baker gave £10 , even though he did not supply the house with bread. One woman gave £50. Another gave £30. The doctor (Lavery) gave £20.
The superior of Roscrea gave £10. St Madeleine Sophie sent £40. A farmer, who had saved up for his old age, walked into Armagh and gave £20.
A young man who had hardly enough to live on gave ten shillings and asked for the prayers of the community. Another invalid woman sent a penny each week.
A poor woman walked 15 miles on foot with money from an 80-year-oldlady who was troubled by a request from Our Lord to give something to build the Convent - but she knew of no Convent, until one day a travelling salesman told here that they were building a Convent in Armagh, 'on the hill that they used to call Windmill Hill'.
And so it goes on and on, recounting how the Convent in Armagh was built by everyone: the people, the clergy and the community. This set the seal of foundation, and in October 1859, St Madeleine Sophie wrote to the Superior in Armagh: “Your last letters have touched us to tears. The story of the poor woman who made that journey to bring six pennies is really moving beyond words. Now I really understand how much the Primate and our nuns held on in this city of faith, simplicity and uprightness to a house of the Sacred Heart. When this devotion is known there, there will be no more faithful adorers. Also, we will make every effort to help you, and if we cannot do all that we wish, at least we will try.”
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