Elizabeth Jennings [1822-1909] Monaghan Street, Newry, County Down

 Elizabeth Jennings was born in Newry in 1822, the fourth daughter of Charles Jennings of Monaghan Street, Newry, County Down, and his wife Sophia Corley daughter of Patrick Corley of Clones, County Monaghan.

She was baptised in Newry.

Elizabeth Jennings daughter to Charles ---? sps John and Mrs O Hagan.[1]

In 1849 she entered the Presentation Order and she was professed in 1852.[2] She took the name Mary Catherine.

In 1859 she became the Superior of the Presentation Convent in Youghal.

1796.06/22/1859, Sister M Magdalen, Presentation Convent, Youghal, to Bishop Keane, with the result of the elections. The new Superior is Sister M Catherine Jennings.[3]

The Presentation Convent at Youghal started a needlepoint lace manufacture soon after the potato famine of 1846.[4]

A piece of lace of Italian origin came into ownership of Mother Mary Ann Smith of the Presentation Convent, Youghal Co Cork. This piece of lace was unraveled by the nun, who carefully examined how the piece had been executed, and then mastered the stitches. Children in the convent who had shown an aptitude for the needlework were then taught by Mother Smith what she herself had learned. This lace is made entirely by the needle, and the thread used is of very fine cotton. In 1852 the Convent Lace School was opened. The school flourished achieving many noticeable highpoints. In 1863 a shawl of Youghal lace was presented to the Princess of Wales, (later Queen Alexander) on the occasion of her marriage to the future King Edward VII. This was the first of many presentations to the Royal Family of England. Several medals were awarded to Youghal Lace in international exhibitions over the years including the Vatican Exhibition in 1888, the Chicago World’s Fair 1893, RDS, and Exhibition of British Lace in London 1906.[5]

…lace imitative of 17^th century raised Venetian lace was made at the Presentation Convent from 1852.[6]

The convent buildings were completed in 1871 under Mother Mary Catherine Jennings of Newry.[7]

Mother Mary Catherine Jennings celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a nun in 1902.

Mother Catherine of the Presentation Convent, Youghal, who had once been Elizabeth Jennings of Newry, reached her Golden Jubilee as a nun in January, 1902. Mother Emmanuel sent her this letter of congratulation.

My dearest Mother M. Catherine,

... Do you remember the last visit... that you took me with you in your car with your dear Kate and Margaret RIP. You told me of your going to the convent then...[8]

She died on the 10^th of October 1909 and is believed to be buried in the North Abbey Cemetery in Youghal.

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[1] Catholic Church Records Newry Baptisms p. 22 1822 05501/08

[2] Crossle, NAI.

[3] NAI Form no:  12216 Repository:  Cloyne Diocesan Archive Access:  Restricted Collection:  Bishop W Keane Main reference:  Box M Century:  19th.

[4] A Dictionary of Lace by Pat Earnshaw, Dover, 2003. P.93

[5] http://www.irishlaceguild.com accessed 08/06/2020

[6] The Grove Encylopedia of Decorative Arts, 2 vols, edited by Gordon Campbell. OUP, 2006

[7] Youghal Convent and Youghal Lace [by] James Coleman [in]The Irish Monthly

Vol. 24, No. 281 (Nov., 1896), pp. 587-593

[8] Mother Emmanuel Russell, sister of Mercy, Newry, b. 50 Queen Street, Newry, 8th March 1831, Sarah Frances Russell, parents Arthur and Margaret Russell. From 'The Three Sisters of Lord Russell of Killowen and their convent life, by the Rev. Matthew Russell, S.J. London, Longmans, Green, 1912p. 252-3.