Who we are...

We are Irish-born Sisters of St Joseph who have returned from Australia and New Zealand to live and minister in Ireland.

At the 1995 General Chapter the Congregation decided to explore the possibility of Irish Sisters returning to live and minister in their homeland. 

In November 2005 the Irish Region was established. On the 7th June 2008 the Congregational Leader, Sr Anne Derwin, missioned the current Irish Leadership Team (ILT), Sisters Margaret O’Sullivan (Leader), Anne Boland, Eileen King and Mary Kirrane.

Presently, in Ireland, there are approximately 40 Sisters, each of whom has spent many years ministering in Australia or New Zealand.

The Ireland to which we have returned is significantly different from the country we departed so many years ago. From being a nation of emigrants then, Ireland has become a nation of immigrants making it now more multi-cultural and multi-faith. Our experience of ministering in Australia and New Zealand has been a fitting preparation for us now in this ‘new’ Ireland.

We may have Aussie/Irish or Kiwi/Irish accents but we are Irish at heart and we enjoy living and ministering in whatever way we can among those who need us.

We see our participation in God’s Mission, as promoting the dignity of each person; valuing difference, respecting earth, reverencing all creation and walking with today’s poor ‘revealing the hospitable heart of God,’ especially in Ireland.