Edel House emergency accommodation, founded by Sr Hickey in 1972, said she is “a visionary who planted the seed that blossomed into what we now know as Good Shepherd Cork over 50 years ago,” and that they are “forever grateful for her pioneering spirit and lasting legacy.”

Sr Hickey is a native of Ballinamult, Co. Waterford, but lived most of her life in Cork. The Sister has lived through the Spanish Flu pandemic, the War of Independence, the Civil War, a World War, and ten popes.