Inaugural Cork Person of the Year Sr Colette turns 108

A visionary nun who founded the Edel House emergency accommodation shelter in Cork recently celebrated her 108th birthday.

Born on January 31, 1918, Sr Colette Hickey has lived through the reigns of 10 presidents of Ireland, 15 taoisigh, and 10 popes.

In 1972, Sr Colette founded Edel House in Cork city.

The shelter provides emergency accommodation for women and children who find themselves homeless, offering a range of supports to assist residents to move on and rebuild their lives.

Widely recognised for her charitable work over the years, Sr Colette was the winner of the first ever Cork Person of the Year award back in 1993.

She was presented with her award by then taoiseach Albert Reynolds, who flew directly from London that day after signing the Downing St Peace Agreement.

Sr Colette joined the Good Shepherd Sisters in Limerick in September 1935, aged17.

The following year, she was received into the congregation and was then given the religious name Sr Colette.

She made first profession in July 1938, and was appointed to the community in Sunday’s Well, Cork, where she worked in the bake house and kitchen.

The Edel House mission leader, Sr Jane Murphy, said: “We honour and celebrate the incredible 108th birthday of Sr Colette Hickey.

“She is a visionary who planted the seed that blossomed into what we now know as Good Shepherd Cork over 50 years ago.

“Born at the foot of the stunning Comeragh Mountains in Co Waterford, Sr Colette has lived a life of profound dedication and impact.

“Though her body is frail, her mind remains sharp.

“She continues to enjoy hearing updates from the Good Shepherd Cork community.

“We are forever grateful for her pioneering spirit and lasting legacy.”

“Wishing Sr Colette a very happy birthday and many blessings!

“During her lifetime, she has lived through the Spanish flu pandemic, the War of Independence, the Civil War, a world war, an outbreak of polio and TB, as well as the covid pandemic and many other happenings.

“She is one of a very few people alive today that would be old enough to remember the time Waterford won both of their All-Ireland senior hurling finals,” she added.