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Nano Nagle was born at Ballygriffen Co. Cork in 1718. Nano became a spirited little girl full of fun and mischief. When she grew older . Nano was taught at the hedge school in the ruins of Monanimy Castle. When she was thirteen her parents decided to take her to France to be properly educated. She had to keep it a secret about going to France because it was forbidden by the Penal Laws. Nano stayed with her cousins in France. She was taught by nuns there.

She loved Paris with its balls and its masquerades. The death of her father in 1746 made Nano and Ann return to Ireland, first to Ballygriffen and then to Dublin.

Nano decided that since she couldn't help the children in Ireland, she would enter a French convent and pray for them. There she went to the Spiritual Director and told him that she was worried about the poor children in Ireland. He told her that she should return to Ireland to teach these poor children. Nano's first school was in Cork in 1754. Ten years later Nano had seven schools around Cork city. She taught the children how to read and write and she also taught needlework. She opened schools for boys as well. Nano also helped the sick and the poor. Nano became known as the Lady of the Lantern because at night she used to travel home by the light of her lantern. In 1775 Nano founded the 'Presentation Sisters'. On the 24 June 1777 Nano and her three companions pronounced their vows. From 1775-1780 Nano's cottage was the first Presentation Convent. Nano Nagle died on Monday, April 26 1784. She was 66 years old.

"Lanes her hem touched were cured of hopelessness.
Her cloak was motherskirt that cuddled crowds.
And desert tent for hearts love parched and stray.
Her lamp swung on a door to happiness ,
Brought life to minds were nurtured in their shrouds,
And showed the way to light was light, the way."

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