Our History Nano Nagle College Crest House Colours

Honora (Nano as she was more familiarly known) Nagle was born in Ireland in 1718. This was a bleak period of time in Irish history particularly in the area of education. Every school was closed, every teacher silenced and the people were condemned to a life of ignorant servitude. Any Catholic who dared to teach was subjected to heavy fines, confiscations and even periods of imprisonment. It was equally treasonable for Irish children to be sent overseas for their education.

Nano’s family were quite wealthy and they realised the importance of education so they sent Nano to France. Her earliest education was gained at a hedge school, so called because of the possibility of discovery by soldiers. Discovery would mean certain imprisonment for the teacher.

In 1746, when Nano’s father died, she and her younger sister Ann returned to Ireland. One day, Nano asked Ann if she would make a dress for her out of some silk she had brought with her from France. Ann had to confess that she had sold the material to give the money to a poor family. Shortly after this Ann died. These two incidents seem to have made a great impact on Nano.

Nano’s thoughts had often turned to the poor, especially to the children of Ireland who because of their lack of education would continue to be oppressed. She wanted to do something about it, but didn’t know how she could help. She entered a French Convent. During this time her thoughts continued to return to the appalling conditions of her own homeland. She was troubled by the meaning of these thoughts and what they challenged her to do. After some reflection she felt called to return to Ireland to serve the children to teach them!
When her uncle Joseph died, he left her a large sum of money which she devoted to building schools and convents, providing relief for the poor and the infirm. All of this was done in secrecy initially but even the hostile authorities, seeing the beneficent nature of her institutions, seemed to relax somewhat their vigilance.

Nano was a determined woman who worked tirelessly, establishing and maintaining her schools. She also visited the poor and sick. Often going to the poorest parts of the town carrying a lantern for light, she became known as the Lady of the Lantern. She also begged for money to help support the work being done in her schools. She opened homes for aged women, and began conducting adult classes.

In 1775 when Nano was 57, she founded the society for Charitable Instruction, known later as the ‘Presentation Sisters’. Nano continued to live and work in this community and on 26 April 1784 she died.

Nano Nagle possessed the real spirit of self-sacrifice. She disposed herself of wealth, station, pleasure and self-interest and retained a spirit of constant prayer. Nano not only broke down the cruel penal laws which had been designed expressly to stamp out Catholic education among Irish people, she did so in a very practical manner immersing herself in the lives of those she served.

Nano’s spirit of selflessness, her determination in the face of certain persecution, her struggle for justice, her devotion to the poor and her particular love for the children has become the source of inspiration for all those called to carry on the traditions and values of the Presentation Sisters.

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