The Irish Connection at University of Detroit Mercy
Spirit of Mercy sculpture on McNichols campus in Health Professions building
Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, was born in Dublin, Ireland. After her parents died, she moved to live with Protestant relatives. She became a household manager and companion with friends of the relatives, the Callahans, a wealthy and childless couple. When they passed away, she inherited a considerable fortune which she used to open a house to shelter and educate women and girls. From that first House of Mercy in Dublin Ireland in 1827, the Sisters of Mercy community grew beyond its roots in Ireland to the United States and in 1941 established Mercy College of Detroit.
Beginning in 2014, UDM nursing students can take a course in Dublin, Ireland to experience the life, work and history of Catherine McAuley. Students in the program will examine and compare the cultural beliefs, values and health care practices of the Irish with those found in the United States.
But this is not the first program the university has had in Ireland. In 1968, U of D’s history department offered a chance for juniors to spend a year studying at the University of Dublin. The trip was set up for juniors majoring in history, philosophy and English. For this initial pilot program, Father Herman J. Muller accompanied twelve students and was also a guest lecturer in history. Today the Study Abroad programs go all over the world to such countries as Poland, Italy, Mexico, China and Cuba.
Ireland ca 1968
Pat Higo, Archives and Special Collections Librarian
