Mount St Anne's
Retreat & Conference Centre





 

This beautiful mansion, originally known as ''Mount Henry' was the home of the landlord for the surrounding area, Edward Randal Skeffington-Smyth.  The building of this Georgian mansion was completed in 1820.  The design for the house was elaborate.  It is fronted with dressed granite, the entrance consisting of a raised  platform of Portland flags, reached by three steps, surrounded by a portico, which is supported by pillars, crowned by a graceful pediment and flanked by large bay windows on either side.

The front hall is imposing with flooring of Portland flags and beautiful moulded ceilings supported with columns of imitation marble.  This work was carried out by Italian artisans and by the renowned firm of 'Morrisons of London'.

In 1823 the Skeffington-Smyths took up residence in the house and lived here until 1922.The last owner of 'Mount Henry' was Major Randal Charles Skeffington-Smyth, born in 1863, son of Colonial Edward Skeffington-Smyth who died in 1887.  His  mother, Letitia, was a daughter of the first Lord Castletown.  Major Skefffington-Smyth left for London at the outbreak of the first World War and the house was left in the charge of a caretaker.  Around 1919/1920 the house was rented for one year by the famous Dublin physician, Dr. Oliver St. John Gogarty.

In 1922, the house was sold  to a Mr. Burke for the sum of IR£1,500.  In the late twenties, he sold it to the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.  It became the residence of the Bishop of this Diocese, Dr. Cullen, who in turn, sold it to the Presentation Sisters in 1933.

The house was then renamed 'Mount St. Anne's' and the Sisters took up residence on July 26th (Feast of St. Anne) 1933.  On January 2nd 1935, the first novices and postulants arrived and on January 6th Dr. Cullen solemnly opened the novitiate and imparted the Papal blessing  to the community.  The house ceased to be a novitiate in 1973 with the establishment of a central novitiate in Co. Limerick.

In 1974 Mount St. Anne's  became a Liturgy Centre and here many people studied  the Theology of Liturgy, The Prayer of the Church, the Eucharist and the Sacraments and related subjects.  In 1978, the Liturgy Centre moved to St. Patrick's College, Carlow.

Mount St Anne's then became a Retreat Centre.  Retreats (directed, preached, private) for students, adults and groups take place here.  Many workshops, training and planning opportunities are available. 

The Presentation Sisters welcome individuals and groups who wish to grow in faith, renew themselves in prayer and search for God's plan in their lives.  Jesus said, 'I came that they may have life and have it to the full'.