This article is from page 18 of the 2013-11-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
A SIXMILEBRIDGE woman who left Ireland for London when she was just 15 has been honoured for her work with vulnerable children’s in London’s East End.
Sister Mary Lawrence received the Irish Youth Foundation’s fourth annual Nessa O’Neill award at the charity’s prestigious Hibernian Hero Award ceremony.
The Clare nun joined the Convent of Mercy in Stepney soon after she arrived in England, and spent her novice days in North London before returning to the East End of the city.
Sister Mary Lawrence, who is now 82-years-old and battling some ill health, told The Clare People that she came from a family of seven. Three of her four sisters also joined convents, one in Texas, and one in Malta and one sister joined the Salesians in Limerick. A fourth sister became a nun and married in London.
Both of her brothers joined An Garda Síochana in Dublin. Her cousins continue to live in Sixmilebridge but her nieces and nephews live in other parts of the country and other countries.
Sister Mary Lawrence has dedicated her life to helping the youth of the London for more than 40 years.
Just over 45 years ago the parish priest of the area came to the convent asking for a club to be formed to help children, many of Irish decent, you were living in difficult circumstances.
The 11-Plus Club was formed and Sister Mary Lawrence was its leader for 41 years.
She eventually changed the name of the club to the St John Bosco Youth Club, named after the saint who dedicated his life to poor children.
The Clare nun has won many awards for her efforts over the years, and her latest accolade comes from a charity, which offers financial assistance to the club, to allow it to continue its vital work.