Gildea, Rev. Denis / Most Rev. Dr. Morrisroe (foreword). Mother Mary Arsenius of Foxford. Signed First Edition. London and Dublin, Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., 1936. Octavo. (12), 198 pages. With photos and illustrations. Original black cloth. Hard cover. Inside original unclipped dust jacket, now inside clear archival jacket. Very good in very good dust jacket. Inscribed and signed by the author on the front free end paper. Scarce.

Agnes Morrogh-Bernard, the foundress of Foxford Woollen Mills was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England on February 24th, 1842. Her father John came from a prominent Catholic family in Cork.
Shortly after her birth Agnes and her mother returned to Cork and lived there until 1849, when her farther inherited the Bernard Estates. They moved to Kerry, and her father became John Morrogh-Bernard and landlord of the estates.
She was educated at home by her Mother until 1854 and was then sent to Laurel Hill Convent in Limerick for three years. It was during this time that she realised she wanted to spend her life in a religious order. On July 2nd 1863 she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of charity.
In April 1877 Agnes now known as Mother M. Arsenius Morrogh-Bernard arrived in Ballaghadereen, Co Mayo, to become Rectress of a new Convent. She worked hard helping the poor and trying to relieve poverty and, it was around this time that her Mother died.
On her arrival, Agnes decided that the small spinning and weaving business in Ballaghadereen could be transferred to Foxford, but on a larger scale, and in 1892 the Woollen Mills were founded. Over the next few years a school was built and in 1893 she got a grant so training could be given in the domestic and farming areas of the community. She also encouraged sports and music, and in 1897 she set up the Brass and Reed Band which today is still the pride of Foxford.
As the years passed and money became more plentiful she had houses built for employees of the Mill. The music school was built in 1923, and the Convent Chapel in 1925. Until her death in 1932, Agnes continued to improve and update the Mill and the town itself.

• Keywords: Biography & Literary Criticism · History & Culture · History of Ireland · Manufacturing · Reference · Reference · Religion · Social Sciences
• Language: English
• Dust Jacket
• Signed/inscribed
• First edition
• Inventory Number: 104583AB

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