Series 1 - The Collected Letters of Nano Nagle

1 box

Series includes seven of the surviving letters of Honora (Nano) Nagle ((1718 – 1784), to Eleanor Fitzsimons, (in religion Sr Angela), an Irish novice in Paris. Nano Nagle brought the Ursuline congregation to Ireland, in 1771, before founding the Presentation Sisters. Nagle corresponded with Fitzsimons regularly, discussing matters with her in an open and candid manner. Nagle’s letters indicate that she was urged on by her faith. Eighteenth century spelling, grammar, and punctation was not bound by the same rules as modern times. Spelling was notoriously changeable. She also appears to have spelt many words phonetically, as evidenced in her letters.
The letters provide insight into Nagle’s life, vocation and ambitions, and the early development of her schools in Cork.
These letters originally belonged to the Archives of the Ursuline Sisters, in Blackrock, Cork. They were gifted to the Presentation Sisters on 8 June 2018, on the tercentenary of the birth of Nano Nagle.