College Foundation Day - 8 December 1899
The foundation stone of the new College was laid on 8 December, 1899, an event commemorated by a silver trowel, preserved in the College, engraved with the names of Bishop Edward Thomas O’Dwyer and Mother Angela Bourke, superior at St Mary’s Convent at that time.
Part of the ceremony was the dedication of the College to Mary Immaculate, hence the name. An extract relating to the occasion is given in the Annals of St Mary’s:
As usual, during the laying of the foundation stone, a bottle was placed under the stone containing a parchment on which was inscribed in Latin, the name of the College, its purpose and the date of the ceremony. A relic of the True Cross was then put in place. The bishops, priests, ladies and gentlemen who attended the ceremony went to the Mount Convent where they were entertained to luncheon. The elaborate meal cost £18.9.7. 22.
An extract relating to the occasion is given in the Annals of St Mary’s Convent, Vol 4A p. 426.
Passing on the Torch - a History of Mary Immaculate College 1898-1998 (Published 1998), pg 9.
