Introduction

Welcome to the Gortnor Abbey walking tour. We decided to embark on our walking tour project in Ty as we had come to realise throughout our years in Gortnor Abbey that our school and the area around it has such a vast array of history. On the tour you will encounter quite the diverse history: conspiracies , beheadings and rebellion!

Our main building evolved from a Big House once run by cruel landlords (descended from Cromwell) to a well respected Secondary School. The Ormsbys held little regard for the local tenants, however in 1912 the fortunes of the house and community were about the change. The 'Big House' was turned into a Convent run by Jesus and Mary nuns who worked tirelessly for the local community for over a century. Such a transformation! The idea of this tour was to explore the local( sometimes grisly history) but also to remember the Jesus and Mary Nuns who lived here and dedicated their whole lives to the school and our community. We hope you enjoy!!

Special thanks to Sr. Veronica Heffernan for her vast historical knowledge and Sr Fionnuala Keveney for her brilliant presentations.

On each stop, there is a QR code that you can scan to get more information.