The Presentation Order
was founded by Nano Nagle. Nano was born in Ballygriffin, County Cork in 1718.
She started her first school in Cove Lane in Cork city in 1755. The pupils were
taught spelling, reading, arithmetic and writing. Nano is often pictured as
going about in poor unfashionable dress, a lantern in one hand and a stick in
the other. She was known as the lady with the lamp.
In June 1776 Nano
received the religious habit, the beginning of the Presentation Order. Nano
intended its members to be devoted to the poor. Nano Nagle died on April 26th,
1784, at the age of 65. Her message spread across the globe and today Nano
Nagle’s Presentation Sisters are found all over Ireland, England, Newfoundland,
Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, California, New York, North and South
Dakota, Iowa, and the Philippines.
