by Catriona Dillon               Ireland                                  05.07.2025

The year was 1957. Cardinal Cushing from Boston came to Drogheda to officially open Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for MMM. It was the month of September, and I was eight years old. Our parents got an invitation to the celebration and we three girls were brought along. We were dressed in our Sunday best.

After the ceremony we went inside where long tables were covered with lovely white tablecloths. The tables groaned under the weight of tasty sandwiches, delicious cakes and trifles. Large teapots were passed around filling cups of tea for thirsty adults. There was mi-wadi orange juice for the children.

Towards the end of the evening an announcement came through that Louth had won the All Ireland football final. We all cheered and clapped till our hands were sore.

Two years later, in April 1959, Cardinal Cushing returned to Drogheda. This time to officially dedicate Our Lady of Lourdes Church which is right beside the MMM Motherhouse. He also baptised many babies. The first two babies to be baptised were John McArdle (Frank’s brother) and Jacinta McCormac. In 1966 the Cardinal came back to Drogheda. He arranged to meet with the children whom he had baptised. He gave them all a dollar bill.

This memory is dedicated to all the wonderful Sisters, nurses and doctors who have cared for us for the last seventy years.