Our Diocese
The Diocese of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory
The United Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory consists of the following Dioceses and Unions/Groups:
- Diocese of Cashel ~ Cashel Union, Kilcooley & Fertagh Union and Templemore Union of Parishes
- Diocese of Waterford ~ Waterford Union
- Diocese of Lismore ~ Fiddown Union, Clonmel Union and Lismore Union
- Diocese of Ossory ~ Castlecomer Union, Clonenagh Group, Kells Union with Inistioge, Kilkenny Union and Rathdowney Union
- Diocese of Leighlin ~ Abbeyleix & Killmernogh Union, Baltinglass Group, Carlow Union, Killeshin Union, Dunleckney Union, Fenagh/Myshall/Aghade/Ardoyne Union, Kiltegan Group, Leighlin Union, Portlaoise & Ballyfin Union, Stradbally Union and Tullow Group
- Ferns Diocese ~ Ardamine/Kilnamanagh/Monamolin Group, Bunclody Union, Enniscorthy & Monart Union, Ferns Union, Gorey Group, Killanne/Killegney Union, New Ross/Fethard Union, Tinahely/Carnew Union and Wexford/Kilscoran Union
Mothers' Union Branches in the Diocese
Cashel, Ferns & Ossory
- CASHEL
- Branches ~ Cashel, Kilcooley/Fertagh and Templemore
- OSSORY
- Branches ~ Castlecomer, Kilkenny, Mountrath and Rathdowney
- LEIGHLIN
- Branches ~ Abbeyleix, Ballyfin, Kiltegan, Old Leighlin and Tullow
- FERNS
- Branches ~ Ardamine/Kilnamanagh, Ballycanew/Leskinfere/Monamolin, Bunclody, Enniscorthy, Killanne/Killegney, New Ross/Fethard-on-Sea and Wexford
You may become a Member of Mothers' Union by joining one of the Branches listed above or by becoming a Diocesan Member. All contact details are available from the Diocesan Secretary: Kathleen Rothwell
Cashel, Ferns, Ossory ~ Mothers' Union
Officers for 2025
- Diocesan President – Linda Ward
- Diocesan Secretary –Kathleen Rothwell
- Diocesan Treasurer – Joan Jackson
- Vice President Finance and Central Services – Revd. Patricia Coleman
- Unit Coordinator Finance and Central Services – Cecily Jones
- Vice President Faith and Policy – Revd. Margaret Sykes
- Unit Coordinator Faith and Policy – Revd. Canon Trevor Sargent
- Social Policy Representative ~ To be confirmed
- Diocesan Chaplain – Revd. Ger James
- Indoor Members Representative – Vivien Black
- Vice President Action and Outreach – Margaret Jacob
- Unit Coordinator Action and Outreach – Claudia Kidd
- MU Enterprise – Elizabeth Johnston
- Vice President Fundraising and Communications – Pyllis Grothier
- Unit Coordinator Fundraising and Communications – To be confirmed
- Training Officer – Phyllis Grothier
- Young Families Representative - Jackie Neale
- Public Relations Officer - Margaret Jacob
A Brief History of The Mothers' Union
The Mothers Union was formed in 1876 by Mary Sumner whose husband was Rector in Winchester at the time, and later became a Bishop. The organisation spread quickly, as many of the ladies involved, were army officers wives and when they went abroad started branches.
The first Mothers Union Branch in Ireland was formed in Raheny in 1887, by the Rector's wife Mrs Annabella Hayes in affiliation with Winchester Diocese. In 1901 the Bishop and Mrs Sumner visited Ireland.
The oldest Branch in The United Diocese of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory is Wexford Branch where early records state that a Branch was formed in 1892 with a membership of five. This was prior to setting up a Diocesan organisation in 1904, so the Branch was affiliated to Dublin. The next two Branches which were formed in the United Diocese were Lismore in 1894 and Kilkenny in 1895.
A new Diocesan Banner was designed and made by Frances Bradley when the United Diocese was named Cashel, Ferns, Ossory. The Banner was dedicated at the Festival Service in Enniscorthy in May 2015.
The latest Branch was formed in 2107 and it is in Old Leighlin.
Frances Bradley & Margaret Sykes
with the New Diocesan Banner
The beautiful banner was created by Frances
Indoor Members
The Indoor members in the Diocese are looked after by Vivien Black. Vivien keeps in regular contact with indoor members sending them cards and letters on special occasions, visiting them and organising Afternoon Tea Parties. Please keep Vivien informed with news about your Indoor members through our Diocesan Secretary or Diocesan President.
The Prayer Chain
The Prayer Chain is also greatly valued by members in the Diocese. Names are included in prayers for a month unless the prayer chain is notified to the contrary.
The Prayer Chain is coordinated by the Faith & Policy coordinator, Revd. Canon Trevor Sargent.
Please contact any officer in your Mothers' Union Branch if you wish to have someone remembered in the Prayer Chain, and they will pass on all of the details to a member of the Prayer Chain.
Ploughing Championships 2024
Yet again this year the Ploughing Championships took place in Ratheniska, Co. Laois, from 17th to 19th September and Mothers' Union was to the forefront in providing the Baby Changing and feeding facilities at this three day event. The facilities, which are the only ones available on site, are greatly appreciated by the parents/guardians of babies and toddlers as it gives them a clean, safe environment in which to tend to their child's needs.
Many say that they would not be able to come to the ploughing as a family only for this facility being available.Thank you to all those who volunteered to help over the three days.
Below are some comments which were left in the comment book over the three days:
- Thank you for providing the mamas and babas with a much need watering hole and rest stop! So vital and enables families to enjoyevents like this so much more. Go raibh míle maith agat. (Thank you very much)
- Thank you so much - such a great facility - we used it several times today to change and feed our 7 month old. It was such a relief to find this baby haven.
- Fantastic idea. Very helpful and pleasant ladies to help. Couldn't have been happier
- Great facility. Made things very easy. Thank you!
- Thank you so much. This is great for mothers with young children
- Brilliant! Well needed service! made our day much easier. Very friendly and clean
- Fantastic service. Very much needed. Great facilities. Well thought out. Perfect for families out for a day. Thank you very much.
- Perfectly set up service and much appreciated
- What a wonderful facility to provide. Thanks so much.
- Fantastic service every year, so clean and welcoming. Thank you!
Ploughing 2024
Ratheniska, Co. Laois
Above is a slideshow of pictures from the
Ploughing Championships
Subscriptions 2025
The Subscriptions for 2025 are due in the new year. Branch Treasurers should forward the money to the Diocesan Treasurer in January.
The breakdown of your subscription, the total of which is € 45, is as follows:
- £ 24.50 to Mary Sumner House
- £ 1.00 Conference fee
- £ 4.50 to run All Ireland including Insurance, office and travel
- € 10.00 to run Diocese.