The first biographical study of Nano Nagle, the foundress of the Presentation order of nuns, that positions her within Irish social history, and assesses her vast international legacy. Nano Nagle: The Life and the Legacy draws on archival materials from three continents, providing a compelling account of how one woman’s extraordinary life challenged social constraints and championed social justice and equality.

Leading education historian Deirdre Raftery has produced not only a vital new biographical study of an exceptional Irish woman, but also a study of how thousands of Irish women joined the Presentation order of nuns and taught in their schools all over the world.  Within that is the story of the Irish female diaspora in Newfoundland, India, North America, England, Australia, Africa and the Philippines.

Nano Nagle: The Life and the Legacy throws opens a new window on an unknown aspect of Irish social history, while also demonstrating Ireland’s significant contribution to the global history of female education.