This authentic cottage was built in 2008 by volunteers from the local community, to honour Margaret Haughery in the place where she was born in Tully, Carrigallen, County Leitrim in 1813.
Margaret devoted her life to serving New Orleans’ poor, especially orphans. She was known by many names which include: “The Bread Woman,” “Friend of the Orphans,” “Mother of the Orphans,” “Our Margaret,” and “Angel of the Delta”.
Visitors to the cottage are invited to walk in Margaret’s footsteps as they are introduced to her story through storytelling and music. A lovely way to step back in time for little while to life in the early 19th century.
Margaret (Gaffney) Haughery
Margaret (Gaffney) Haughery was born in Tully, Carrigallen, County Leitrim, Ireland in 1813 and emigrated to America with her family when she was 5 years old. Personal tragedies experienced both as a child and later as a parent shaped her life-long devotion to serving New Orleans’ poor.
Margaret was one of the first women in the United States to have a statue erected in her honour. Citizens of New Orleans commissioned a statue in her likeness soon after her death in 1882. Sculpted by Andrew Doyle using Italian marble, the statue has stood since 1884 in the Lower Garden District at the intersection of Prytania and Clio Streets.
