Pilgrimage to Ireland

Recently I was honoured to be chosen to represent St Mary's College on a pilgrimage to Ireland, walking in the footsteps of Nano Nagle. The 14 pilgrims comprised school leaders from a variety of Australian Presentation schools accompanied by Sr Maria Lazzaro as our spiritual guide. Together we explored Nano’s homeland in order to better understand her life, work and faith, as well as the legacy she has left today. 

The pilgrimage began in Dublin where we explored the oldest Presentation school in Dublin, Presentation Primary George’s Hill, which continues to uphold its original mission to meet the needs of disadvantaged children.  We were inspired by its targeted programs to support neurodiverse children.  We also explored some of the historical documents housed at the Presentation convent onsite which included reading some of Nano Nagle’s original letters. The next day, we participated in an International Presentation Symposium where we got to know some of our ‘Irish cousins’ who work in Presentation schools and other organisations in Ireland. The Irish Minister for Education made a special appearance and shared with us her fond memories of being educated in Presentation Schools.  

Lastly, we visited the Presentation Secondary School, Coláiste Bríde which had a wonderful focus on inclusion and acceptance expressed through many amazing art installations throughout the school. We left Dublin with a strong sense that the Presentation charism is alive and well; a charism which adapts to the changing needs of the times, but which is always focused on those most in need.

We then headed to Ballygriffin, the childhood home of Nano Nagle. This property had been in the Nagle family for centuries. They were a prominent family in the area—even the nearby mountains are called ‘The Nagle Mountains’.  However, since Nano’s time the land was divided up and owned by different families. In 1974, the property was bought by the Presentation Sisters and since then it has been transformed into a place of pilgrimage and a retreat centre. Although the main house that Nano lived in is no longer in existence, I found it easy to connect with Nano at this beautiful site. We spent a few days at Ballygriffin, soaking in the tranquility and exploring the site which has a strong focus on sustainability. We learnt more about Nano’s life through the history room and also had a wonderful session led by Sr Anne Lyons exploring the depth of symbolism of the original Nano Nagle icon. Sr Anne also has the role of ‘Postulator’ which means that she is working towards Nano’s recognition as Blessed and, eventually, a Saint in the Church. In our time at Ballygriffin, we learnt how the Nagle family had to keep their Catholic faith a secret. This included attending Mass covertly at a local ‘Mass Rock’ where Catholics would gather to celebrate Mass away from the eyes of the English authorities. We also took a trip to nearby Fermoy, the home of the Sisters who came out from Ireland to establish St Mary’s College. On 26 April, we celebrated the anniversary of Nano’s death with a gathering of more than 100 Sisters and other Presentation people. Our time spent at Ballygriffin was certainly a highlight for the group. 

We then travelled to Cork where we really started to understand the work of Nano. There she began her secret schools starting in Cove Lane and then throughout other parts of Cork. These unassuming buildings are mostly all gone now but a couple are still standing, used as houses. We were led by Sr Bride on a tour of Nano’s Cork, walking the route she travelled daily as she visited her schools and helped the poor of the city. This ended with a visit to Presentation North Convent where we received such a warm welcome by the Sisters. They certainly showed us what the Presentation value of hospitality is all about. 

Despite all this, the highlight of our visit to Cork was spending time at Nano Nagle Place. This award-winning museum tells the story of what life was like for Irish Catholics under the Penal Laws of the 1700s and why Nano’s work was so important. This site is made even more special because it contains the tomb of Nano. The group spent time reflecting and praying here and we were blessed to be the first group to ever celebrate Mass at Nano’s tomb. 

After visiting Cork, we saw a number of other beautiful places in Ireland which helped us to better understand the history and culture of this wonderful country. These included the port town of Cobh where thousands of Irish people left from for other parts of the world, Kinsale, the culinary capital of Ireland, the tourist town of Killarney and the historic medieval Monastery of Glendalough. Our pilgrimage ended with a visit to Mount Saint Anne's, a Presentation Convent and Retreat Centre. Here we concluded with a liturgy of thanks and reflection on all that we had experienced. 

This pilgrimage was a once in a lifetime experience which has given me a special insight into Nano Nagle and the Presentation Sisters. I continue to be impressed by Nano’s dedication to her faith and to the plight of those who were disadvantaged in her community. It is not an exaggeration to say that Ireland’s education system today is founded on her brave and pioneering work. I am also continually inspired by the work of the Presentation Sisters. Even though most of them are quite elderly they still work throughout the world to show the values of hospitality, compassion and simplicity and they continually respond to the changing needs of the time to carry Nano's lantern of Christ's love to the world.