About The Centres

19-07-03

History of the Centre

St. Catherine's Training Centre Ballina was officially opened in May 1985 and blessed by Bishop Mc Donnell. It was named after Catherine McAuley, the Foundress of the Mercy Order. The first Director of the centre was Sr. Mary Gallagher. Sr. Mary Gallagher recognised a need for a training centre in the area and founded St. Catherine's training centre on this basis.

Since St. Catherine's opened in 1984, the facilities, rooms and equipment have been continually updated and improved to include, computer room, kitchen, recreation room and shower rooms, hairdressing room, metalwork shop, building construction and home maintenance room, upholstery rooms and woodwork room.

St. Catherine’s Education and Resource Centre is located in the grounds of the Convent of Mercy, Ballina. The Centre was opened under the direction A.N.C.O now FAS in 1984 and in 1998 it was brought under the direction of the County Mayo Vocational Education Committee.
The centre provides 30 training places, the majority of which are filled by members of the Traveller community. There are currently 14 members of staff working in St. Catherine’s Training Centre, Ballina

This site was last updated 19-07-03