It seems that three of the daughters of Captain Lingard of Cooga, Ruan, entered the Convent of Mercy Ennis:
https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/cocla ... d_ruan.htm. The Sister Lingard who went with five others to Meridan Connecticut may have been Kate Lingard:
Clare Journal, Thur 23 May 1861:
Local News. On Monday, at the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Miss Kate Lingard, daughter of the late Capt. Lingard, Cooga House, County Clare, received the white veil. The Very Rev. Dean Butler, P.P., V.G., acted as celebrant, and received the postulant.
The
Clare Journal reported the receptions, or professions of a few women as Sisters of Mercy during 1861, or at least those relating to prominent families, but there’s a fall-off of reporting of receptions and professions in the subsequent years. Maybe those events ceased to be a novelty:
Thur 24 Jan 1861:
Convent of Mercy Ennis. Miss Louisa Gavin, in religion sister Mary Bernard, and third daughter of the late Captain Gavin, of Cappa, in this county, received the white veil, on yesterday, at the hands of the Most Rev. Dr. Flanery, Bishop of Killaloe. The reception sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Kenny, C.C. After the cermonies were concluded, a large number of friends were entertained at a splendid dejeuner, in of the reception rooms of the Convent.
Thurs 23 May 1861:
Profession of Nuns at Gort. The very solemn and interesting ceremony of the reception of the nuns took place at St. Patrick’s Convent, Gort, on Monday, the 20th instant, the Very Rev. Mr. Shannon, P.P., and V.G., officiating. The young ladies who forsook the vanities of the world, and devoted themselves to religion, were Miss Harriet Keane, sister to our esteemed townsman, Ralph Keane, Esq., and Miss Ryan, daughter of Mr. James Ryan, of Cranna, near Gort. After the ceremony, a number of the friends and relatives of the young ladies adjourned with the clergymen to the spacious saloon of the Convent, where they were regaled by the hospitable Sisters at a splendid dejeuner served upon a style of elegance, and, need I add, was done ample justice to. – Correspondent.
Thur 13 Jun 1861:
Local News. Reception of Nuns. On Monday, Miss Hogan, second daughter of Timothy Hogan, Esq., Corofin, was received into the order of the Sisters of Mercy at the Row House Convent of Mercy, Ennis, by the Right Rev. Dr. Flannery, Bishop of Killaloe. His Lordship after the celebration of Mass proceeded with the ceremony of the reception, after which the Rev. Mr. Hanrahan, CC., Ballyvaughan, delivered a most eloquent discourse, which affected all by its fervour and piety. Many of the friends and relatives of the postulant, together with many of the ladies and gentlemen of the town were present on the occasion.
Mon 2 Dec 1861:
Catholic Intelligence. The Most Rev. Dr Flannery, Lord Bishop of Killaloe, on Thursday, received the vows of Miss Mary Perry, late of Limerick in the Convent of Mercy, Ennis. On the same occasion his lordship gave the white veil to Miss Kerin, daughter of John Kerin, Esq., Abbey, Burren, in this county, and to a lay sister of the same community. The beautiful church of the convent was crowded by the friends of the religiuses, and by many of the clergy, including the Very Rev. Dean Kenny, V.G., Ennis, and several from the neighbourhood. The sermon was admirably preached by the Rev. Joseph Vandereiss, of the Redemptorist church, Mount Saint Alphonsus.
Thur 5 Dec 1861:
On Tuesday last, Miss Lucy Keane, daughter of the late Michael Keane, and sister of our esteemed townsman, Ralph Keane, Esq., entered the Convent of Mercy, Gort. She is the second of that family who has entered the same Convent within the last two years. There are many additions lately to the Sisterhood here, and many more likely to be. The untiring zeal of the Rev. Mother, is manifest in the many improvements that are being made daily in the establishment, which adds much to the comfort of the inmates, and reflects much credit on her superior abilities, as the head of such an institution. Correspondent.
Thur 6 Dec 1866:
Reception of Nuns. On the 13th inst., an interesting ceremony took place with the usual solemnity, at the Convent General of the Good Shepperd, Angers, France. Among a number of young ladies received into religion on that occasion, was Miss Bridget Hogan (in religion Sister Mary St Bernard), sixth daughter of Mr Michael Hogan of Cahertigue, County Clare. From a Correspondent.
Sheila