Nano Nagle was born Honora Nagle in Ballygriffin in Cork in 1718, a turbulent time in Irish history due to the Penal Laws.The Nagle family was a wealthy Catholic family and Nano had the benefit of a European education and privileged lifestyle.She dvoted her life to God and to working with people on the margins of society.Nano Nagle is one of the great pioneers of catholic education in Ireland.

Her mission of education the poor began in a 'little school' in Cove Lane in cork in 1754. In setting up schools in defiance of the established colonial order she sided with those made poor and challenged the institutional injustice that perpetuated marginalization and poverty.Nano responded to the needs of her time and developed an educational curriculum suitable to the individual capabilities of her students. Hers was a global vision as in 1769 she wrote to a friend:for I can assure you my schools are beginning to be of service to a great many parts of the world-this is a place of such trade-they heard of,and my views are not for one object alone.if I could be of service in saving souls in any part of the globe I would be willing to do all in my power."

Nano's words proved to be prophetic as her efforts led to the introduction of a network of schools across Ireland and the world.She founded the congregation later known as the Presentation Sisters on Christmas Eve 1775,the culmination of 20 years of a lie of devotion to the cause of improving the circumstances of others.She died in cork in 1784 and is buried in the ground of South Presentaion Convent in Cork city in a location which has become a place of prayer and pilgrimage in her honour.

To this day Presentation Sisters and friends of Nano remain commited to working with those most in need through a broad rage of ministries.those ministries include spirituality and faith development,lifelong learning and innovation,social finance,social inclusion and outreach,human rights and justice,ecology and sustainable living and healthcare projects.