By Sean Ryan - 07 May, 2017
Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Dr Kieran O’Reilly
The Archbishop of Cashel & Emly Dr Kieran O’Reilly has urged students to continue to follow in the tradition of Nano Nagle, the founder of the Presentation Order of nuns.
The Presentation Convent started in Stradavoher in Thurles in 1817 before moving to Chapel Lane until 1826, when the magnificent convent was built on its present site.
Nowadays, the Presentation Secondary School has a remarkable 35 feeder schools in the Thurles hinterland, with 85 per cent of students coming from a rural background. The school counts former government Minister Mary Hanafin amongst its illustrious alumni.
Speaking at a special Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles to celebrate the bicentenary of the arrival of the Presentation Order in Thurles, Archbishop O’Reilly told students to “continue to carry the lantern in our world today, because though we have lights everywhere thanks to electricity which was not there in Nano Nagle’s time, we still have darkness. Wherever you go, you can follow in her footsteps by bringing light to the lives of our world.”
The Presentation Order has a number of other events planned to celebrate the bicentenary before the year ends. In September there will be a sports day to celebrate the many disciplines fostered and promoted in the school, and on Sunday 19 November there will be a special Mass of Celebration and Thanksgiving in the Cathedral of the Assumption for past pupils and the local community, again celebrated by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly.
Music, song and dance has always played a major role in the life of the school and this will be reflected on Saturday 25 November in a gala concert featuring past pupils from many generations.
A book entitled Presentation Sisters Thurles 1817 to 2017 written by Anne Lanigan was also recently launched in the school.
