Ruadhán Jones
Mother Agnes O’Shea pictured shortly before her death in her 93rd year. Mother Agnes O’Shea, formerly abbess of Glencairn Abbey from 1995 to 2001, died on September 2 at the age of 92.
Mother Agnes, born in Garryricken, Co. Kilkenny, in 1930, entered Glencairn in 1951 and made her solemn profession in 1956.
For the first almost 17 years of her life, Sr Agnes worked in many different areas, including the poultry farm and kitchen.
In 1968 she was appointed Mistress of Novices, at a time of great change following Vatican II, and for 21 years she trained and cared for the flood of novices who entered in those years.
She was elected Abbess of Glencairn in 1995 for a six-year term, and fulfilled this duty “with her usual kindness, gentleness and compassion”, the Glencairn sisters said.
“She did not wish to be re-elected, but instead she became Guest Mistress and proved to be immensely popular to all visitors and guests.”
Devotedly cared for during the last years of her long life by Sr Maria Therese, she died peacefully.