Talk on inspirational Mayo nun who helped build Alcoholics Anonymous movement
THE National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park is to host a talk on the life and legacy of an inspirational Mayo-born nun who played an integral role in the founding and development of the Alcoholics Anonymous movement in America in the 1930s.
Many people will be familiar with the work of Alcoholics Anonymous and its impact on countless lives around the world since it was founded in 1935.
But what people may not know is that one of its earliest champions was Sr. Ignatia Gavin, CSA, who was born in Shanvalley, Co. Mayo, in 1889.
The talk about Sr. Ignatia takes place at 3 p.m. on June 26 in the audio visual theatre at the National Museum in Turlough Park. Places are free but booking is recommended via museum.ie.
The event is being organised by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and their health ministry of the Sister Ignatia Gavin CSA Center for Addiction Medicine that will be opening this autumn in Cleveland, Ohio.
"A delegation from Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, are visiting Co. Mayo and holding a number of events to commemorate 175 years of compassionate service in the United States," outlined Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, Cleveland.
"This year is also significant in that it marks the 60th anniversary of Sr. Ignatia's passing. During the visit, we will celebrate the Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach’s Award for Diaspora Outstanding Achievement 2025 that was bestowed posthumously to Sister Ignatia Gavin, CSA.
"Sr. Ignatia was a remarkable person and it will be wonderful to see her legacy remembered and celebrated through these events in her native County Mayo."
Sr. Ignatia was involved in the world's first documented case of treating alcoholism as a medical condition in a hospital setting, at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio, in 1935. Over the next number of years, she worked alongside Alcoholics Anonymous founders Dr. Bob and Bill W. to develop and share the now famous 12-step programme for addiction recovery.
Sr. Ignatia was born Bridget Della Mary Gavin in Shanvalley in 1889. She emigrated to Cleveland with her family in 1896 and joined the Sisters of Charity of St Augustine when she was 25 years old.
She would later become known as the 'Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous'. Between 1952 and 1965, Sr. Ignatia treated more than 15,000 patients and supported 60,000 family members at the centre she founded called Rosary Hall Solarium in Cleveland.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy penned a personal letter to Sr. Ignatia in recognition of her service.
The first speaker at the event in Turlough Park is Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Charity St. Augustine, Cleveland. Sr. Karam is the former Class A Board Member for Alcoholics Anonymous USA and Canada.
Also speaking on the afternoon will be Dr. Theodore Parran, Isabel and Carter Wang, Professor and Chair in Medical Education at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and Co-Director of Rosary Hall in Cleveland, Ohio.