Nano Nagle
Born in 1718 and died in 1784. Nano was committed to “empowerment through education, community inclusion and spiritual engagement for a contemporary world”. Nano opened “7 schools for poor children across Cork city, founded an almshouse for poor women, and most notably, founded the Presentation Order, who continue her education and social inclusion work today”. Social justice was at the heart of Nano Nagle’s work. During the time of the Penal Laws “operating a Catholic School could result in three months imprisonment, Nano had to work in secret”. Her first school opened c1750s and was a school for girls that “focussed on reading, writing, Catechism (Catholic religious instruction) and needlework”. She went on to found more schools teaching girls and boys.