women to be fed or educated. Against this background Nano Nagle dedicated her life and fortune to the deprived that they might have a vision of God. In those early years her work was mainly for the young in education - poor of Cork where she had 7 schools - visiting the sick when time permitted. These were the needs crying for her attention in her time. Upon her death in 1784 there was only one convent but by the end of the 18th century there were the beginnings of new communities in Killarney, Dublin, Kilkenny and Waterford, as postilants were sent to Cork to be trained as daughters of Nano Nagle.

From 1800 - 1825 foundations sprang up in many other parts of the country. By the time the Presentation family was little more than a generation old the mission fields of the world called and in the years that followed several foundations were made in all corners of the world.

The torch was becoming a flame beginning with:-

The torch continues to burn brightly into the 20th century with the spread of the Presentation family to New Zealand, the Philipines Islands, Africa, New Guinea and Thailand.  The post Vatican II period was an important milestone in the history of the Congregation. It engendered  much soul searching reflection on the Sisters' role as educators today.  In one of her letters Nano had written,

"My views are not for one object alone.  If I could be of service in any part of the globe I would willingly do all in my power."

The Presentation Congregation over the years has given witnes to this dimension of the foundress' Charism.  Besides their customary dedication to Primary and Post - Primary education, Sisters can be found , today, working with the mentally handicapped, the deaf, among lepers, in homes for the aged, in hospital, in drop-ins, with the addicted and marginalised in varios other types of social apostolates.

  Nano served the needs of her time.  Her daughters in
every era will address themselves to the needs of their time.