Carlow celebrates the life and legacy of the Presentation Sisters

A CONGREGATION of more than a hundred came together to celebrate 250 years of the Presentation Sisters’ life and legacy in Carlow.

The special event commemorated sisters of the past and celebrated current members in the original convent building on Tullow Street, which is now Carlow museum and library.

The evening was hosted by historian John McDarby on 22 October. In his opening remarks, John remembered his late colleague Dermot Mulligan, an alumnus of Presentation College, who had been due to host the event.

The Presentation Sisters were founded in 1775 by Nano Nagle in Cork and some time later, three sisters from the mission arrived in Carlow in January 1811.

The event opened with a song composed by Sr Cecilia Molloy, who later spoke to the congregation. Aptly titled as Song of Celebration, the music was performed by Ollie Hennessy and Karen O’Neill.

Following the performance, a series of speakers led the congregation, which consisted primarily of priests and nums, through the history of the convent. Historian and author Christopher Power spoke about the library building itself which had been the nuns’ home as well as a school. Then Sr Cecilia spoke about her time in the order and as principal of Scoil Mhuire gan Smál.

Finally, Sr Sharon Fagan, mother general of the Presentation Sisters, spoke about the legacy of the convent internationally. She had travelled from Canada to join the celebration.

The evening continued, moving to Carlow cathedral, where the graves of deceased nuns were blessed and their names read out. As heavy rain fell, the congregation moved inside to a well-attended prayer service led by Bishop Denis Nulty.

The successful evening ended with refreshments in Carlow College, although the celebration did continue into the next day as many of the sisters toured the Presentation building, reminiscing on where they lived and worked for many years.