At the invitation of the Abbess and Benedictine community, some twenty Presentation Sisters from different parts of Ireland were hosted for a very special weekend in Kylemore Abbey in Connemara from November 13 to 16, 2025. This retreat was a gift from the Benedictine community as an expression of gratitude for the immense contribution of the Presentation Sisters to Catholic education in Ireland, especially the education of girls.
In fact, Sr Karol O’Connell, Abbess, shared that, “Many of our members, including myself, are former students of Presentation schools. We benefited enormously from the wholesome education we received and from the personal interest that the Sisters and lay teachers had in each one of their students.” The Benedictine hosts also wished to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Presentation Sisters by Nano Nagle in Cork on Christmas Eve 1775.
An experience of Benedictine hospitality
All were greeted on arrival with a warm welcome and a taste of Benedictine hospitality which characterised the entire weekend. During the visit the Presentation Sisters joined the host community for the regular monastic routine of prayer, meals and recreation. And the host community joined the Presentation Sisters each evening in praying the Presentation Day Novena 2025 in advance of the Feast of the Presentation of Mary celebrated on November 21.
The distance between the monastery and the Castle, with its amazing walled garden and surrounds, proved a pleasant walk for some, even in inclement weather”
In addition, there were times assigned for visiting various workshops where items are manufactured on-site. Among the sweetest was the visit to the chocolate factory, where traditional recipes from Flanders are used to make a most amazing selection of hand-made chocolates. These were on sale, nicely packaged in the famous gift shop, which is also well-stocked with souvenirs and Irish-made goods.
The distance between the monastery and the Castle, with its amazing walled garden and surrounds, proved a pleasant walk for some, even in inclement weather. For those who fancied the easy option, a regular bus service at ten-minute intervals proved popular. Stormy weather did not hinder some venturers from taking long walks in the Connemara countryside with its magnificent scenery. Winter sunshine on the surrounding hills gave a changing pattern of light and shade which was marvellous to observe. Little wonder that tourists come in droves to this place all year round!
Nano Nagle in Ypres
I had the joy on leading a conversation on Nano’s connection to Ypres, a Flemish-speaking part of Flanders. My recent research would indicate that Nano spent six formative years as a boarder from age ten to sixteen in the Benedictine school in Ypres. In fact, the present community in Kylemore is in direct line of continuity with that of Ypres. During her time at school in Ypres (1728-1734), Nano Nagle must have been greatly influenced by the Benedictine way of life and spirituality – including their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Feast of the Presentation of Mary.
Nano chose as the original title for her fledgling Society that of Sisters of Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The school at Ypres, which Nano attended, was solemnly declared to be under the protection of Our Lady of the Presentation. Little wonder then, Sr Mary added, that when Fr Laurence Callanan OFM was appointed to draft the 1805 Constitutions for Nano’s sisterhood after her death, the title was changed to Sisters of the Presentation of Our Blessed Lady, because (quoting the South Presentation Annals, Cork) “he knew that Nano, ever and always, had a particular devotion to Mary under that title.”
A Tree-planting Ceremony
A moment of special significance was the ceremony of tree-planting in the grounds beside the monastery on November 15. Two green saplings representing Benedictine and Presentation traditions were planted side by side by Sr Karol, the Abbess, and Sr Sharon Fagan, Congregation Leader of the international Union of Presentation Sisters – as memorial of the special occasion. Sr Sharon shared that, “The planting of these trees symbolises our shared heritage, renewed friendship and the commitment of both religious communities to the care of Earth, our common home, today.”
The historic visit generated hope and joy among the Sisters of both communities”
The visit of Presentation Sisters to Kylemore in 2025 will surely be marked in the calendars of both Benedictine and Presentation families as a significant and joyful event. For those who follow in the footsteps of Venerable Nano Nagle and the Daughters of St Benedict, it was more than a return to the founding story. It may well carry a significance beyond what can be currently perceived. For now, the historic visit generated hope and joy among the Sisters of both communities. Renewing the bonds of friendship can only bring blessings for the future of religious life in Ireland and beyond for years to come!
Sr Mary O’Brien PHD, is a native of Cork. She lectures in Sacred Scripture at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, and has written widely on biblical, liturgical and spritual topics.
Presentation Sisters historic visit to Kylemore Abbey
At the invitation of the Abbess and Benedictine community, some twenty Presentation Sisters from different parts of Ireland were hosted for a very special weekend in Kylemore Abbey in Connemara from November 13 to 16, 2025. This retreat was a gift from the Benedictine community as an expression of gratitude for the immense contribution of the Presentation Sisters to Catholic education in Ireland, especially the education of girls.
In fact, Sr Karol O’Connell, Abbess, shared that, “Many of our members, including myself, are former students of Presentation schools. We benefited enormously from the wholesome education we received and from the personal interest that the Sisters and lay teachers had in each one of their students.” The Benedictine hosts also wished to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Presentation Sisters by Nano Nagle in Cork on Christmas Eve 1775.
An experience of Benedictine hospitality
All were greeted on arrival with a warm welcome and a taste of Benedictine hospitality which characterised the entire weekend. During the visit the Presentation Sisters joined the host community for the regular monastic routine of prayer, meals and recreation. And the host community joined the Presentation Sisters each evening in praying the Presentation Day Novena 2025 in advance of the Feast of the Presentation of Mary celebrated on November 21.
In addition, there were times assigned for visiting various workshops where items are manufactured on-site. Among the sweetest was the visit to the chocolate factory, where traditional recipes from Flanders are used to make a most amazing selection of hand-made chocolates. These were on sale, nicely packaged in the famous gift shop, which is also well-stocked with souvenirs and Irish-made goods.
The distance between the monastery and the Castle, with its amazing walled garden and surrounds, proved a pleasant walk for some, even in inclement weather. For those who fancied the easy option, a regular bus service at ten-minute intervals proved popular. Stormy weather did not hinder some venturers from taking long walks in the Connemara countryside with its magnificent scenery. Winter sunshine on the surrounding hills gave a changing pattern of light and shade which was marvellous to observe. Little wonder that tourists come in droves to this place all year round!
Nano Nagle in Ypres
I had the joy on leading a conversation on Nano’s connection to Ypres, a Flemish-speaking part of Flanders. My recent research would indicate that Nano spent six formative years as a boarder from age ten to sixteen in the Benedictine school in Ypres. In fact, the present community in Kylemore is in direct line of continuity with that of Ypres. During her time at school in Ypres (1728-1734), Nano Nagle must have been greatly influenced by the Benedictine way of life and spirituality – including their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Feast of the Presentation of Mary.
Nano chose as the original title for her fledgling Society that of Sisters of Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The school at Ypres, which Nano attended, was solemnly declared to be under the protection of Our Lady of the Presentation. Little wonder then, Sr Mary added, that when Fr Laurence Callanan OFM was appointed to draft the 1805 Constitutions for Nano’s sisterhood after her death, the title was changed to Sisters of the Presentation of Our Blessed Lady, because (quoting the South Presentation Annals, Cork) “he knew that Nano, ever and always, had a particular devotion to Mary under that title.”
A Tree-planting Ceremony
A moment of special significance was the ceremony of tree-planting in the grounds beside the monastery on November 15. Two green saplings representing Benedictine and Presentation traditions were planted side by side by Sr Karol, the Abbess, and Sr Sharon Fagan, Congregation Leader of the international Union of Presentation Sisters – as memorial of the special occasion. Sr Sharon shared that, “The planting of these trees symbolises our shared heritage, renewed friendship and the commitment of both religious communities to the care of Earth, our common home, today.”
The visit of Presentation Sisters to Kylemore in 2025 will surely be marked in the calendars of both Benedictine and Presentation families as a significant and joyful event. For those who follow in the footsteps of Venerable Nano Nagle and the Daughters of St Benedict, it was more than a return to the founding story. It may well carry a significance beyond what can be currently perceived. For now, the historic visit generated hope and joy among the Sisters of both communities. Renewing the bonds of friendship can only bring blessings for the future of religious life in Ireland and beyond for years to come!
Sr Mary O’Brien PHD, is a native of Cork. She lectures in Sacred Scripture at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, and has written widely on biblical, liturgical and spritual topics.
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