Religious house

The precise location of the 17th century Poor Sisters of St. Clare Convent of Bethlehem in the town of Athlone is unknown. The convent was opened in 1643 after fleeing from their convent (WM015-002----) at Bethlehem which was burnt in 1642 by Lord Ranelagh. The life of the Convent was short lived and closed down in 1650 (Murtagh 1994, 10; Grannell 1978, 45). The foundation of this convent was described in 1647 after the Supreme Council received a petition from the 'Mother Abbess and poor Sisters of St. Clare, in the Convent of Bethlehem in Athlone' (Cal. S.P. Ire., 662-3). The petition recorded that 'the enemy burned their convent of Bethlehem (WM015-002----) and choicest ornaments at the beginning of these distempers, and ceased [seized] upon all their goods and provisions, and forced themselves to betake them into islands, woods, and bogs. After the first cessastion was proclaimed, they came together in the ruinous town of Athlone, their communion consisting of 24, where they continue till now upon the benevolence of the Supreme Council and friends, but they are very poor. They had a rent of £50 a year in Athlone, but this they cannot get, as the inhabitants have mostly left the town. Captain Tibbott MaGawley has taken away £40 worth of bricks, which they had for building, without giving them any consideration for them' (Cal. S.P. Ire., 662). The state papers go on to state that 'the way to relieve "these poor damosells" is to allow them £200 a year until they may recover what is due unto them, and that from the customs and excise of Athlone, out of the tithe of the Diocese of Clonmacnoise and of the estate of Lord Ranelagh, who burnt their convent. From the profit of his estate, a new convent might be built for them' (Cal. S.P. Ire., 662-3). The Supreme Council ordered that '£60 a year to be paid to the poor Clares of Bethlehem at Athlone, from the Excise of that town. If the Excise fall short, the sum to be paid from the revenues sequestered in the Diocese of Clonmacnoise' (ibid.) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 10 December 2013