FORMER BLUE NUNS CONVENT TO HOUSE UKRAINIAN REFUGEES
The former 'Blue Nuns' convent on Monument Hill in Fermoy is set to become the home of a family of eight who have fled the war in Ukraine.
Previously home to ‘The Little Company of Mary’, more affectionately known as 'The Blue Nuns’, the house on Monument Hill was recently refurbished and offered to help house those fleeing the ongoing war.
According to Fr Brian Boyle, the idea to offer the convent building was broached some weeks ago during a discussion between himself and some members of the local St Vincent de Paul Society, around the same time as the public meeting held in the Fermoy Community Youth Centre organised by the Blackwater Ukrainian Solidarity Group.
“Having discussed the idea with Bishop Crean, he gave the project his blessing and was very pleased that we could offer our help to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. I felt by doing this we would be putting the Gospel message to ‘Love others’ into action,” Fr Boyle said.
The offer of the building was then pledged for the use of refugees through the Irish Red Cross. A representative of the Irish Red Cross then visited the building and deemed it suitable for the purpose.
From that point on, the St Vincent de Paul Society coordinated the preparation of the building, however, some works were still required.
The most pressing need, Fr Boyle noted, was to replace the central heating boiler so as the ensure the building would be adequately heated and had hot water, a task that was completed on Monday.
FAMILY HOME
Recently, the Fermoy Parish received word from a Deacon in the Diocese that a Ukrainian priest, his wife and six children, ranging in age from 16 years old to just 1 year old, had managed to leave Ukraine via Romania and had landed in Ireland.
The Biletskyy family came to the Cork area and have since been hosted by two families in temporary accommodation near Midleton.
“The response to this family’s impending arrival in the convent has been phenomenal. The people of Fermoy have donated furniture, clothes, kitchen utensils and so many useful items the family will need.
“I would like to thank most sincerely all those people here in Fermoy and further afield who have donated so many wonderful things,” Fr Boyle said.
Locals have also volunteered to paint rooms and carry out other odd jobs on the building to make the convent a home for the family for as long as it is needed.
A donations appeal was also carried out by the Irish Catholic Church with a national collection recently taken at Sunday Masses to help Ukraine. This funding was sent directly to the Caritas charity organisation working on the ground in Ukraine.
In Fermoy alone, €5,000 was raised for this cause, for which Fr Boyle said, the parish is ‘very grateful’.
“The Convent is now ready to welcome the Biletskyy family and we hope they will be very happy with us here in Fermoy,” Fr Boyle concluded.
It is understood the family will move into the premises towards the end of this week.