Presentation Sisters Union North East Ireland Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
‘Know where you come from, to know who you are’.
The first time I saw the exhibition in the ‘Heart Aflame’ Visitor Centre this was the phrase that remained with me long afterwards as the ‘Heart Aflame’ Story is the story of the Presentation Congregation.
The exhibition material that is available treasures the memory, tradition and contribution of all of those Sisters and Presentation people who have gone before us, while at the same time communicating the living legacy and very particular charism from Nano Nagle’s life, that continues to respond to the needs of today’s world.
The Visitor Centre (located in the grounds of Mount St. Anne’s Retreat and Conference Centre, Killenard, Portarlington, Co. Laois, in what was the remaining stable block) was designed, supported and developed by Presentation Sisters Union (North East Province, Ireland) through the shared creative vision of a team of Sisters and designers in collaboration with the architect appointed to manage the project.
This creative and imaginative conversion has managed to provide a light-filled purpose built centre while maintaining its close contact with the woodland and gardens of the house, so that the exhibition and the nature outside are never very far apart.
From the moment you arrive at the entrance to the Centre you are immediately drawn in to explore, discover and experience who Nano Nagle was, and is now, for people all over the world. The exhibition content invites you to meet and engage with the life and experiences of those who got to know Nano Nagle from the early days of the Sisters in Ireland in the 1700s, through to the present time. The content is highly visual and interactive and mixes images and infographics with videos.
From the poverty-stricken and colonial context of 18th century Ireland, Nano Nagle lit a flame for freedom through education, leaving us a legacy that continues to grow and expand into the complex world of the 21st century.” – Sarah MacDonald, Catholic Ireland.Net – June 2017
Entry to the ‘Heart Aflame’ Visitor is free of charge, but you are advised to book in advance if you are part of a group visiting or if you require a guided tour. See brochure below for further information.
Email: heartaflame@mountstannes.com Tel: 057 8626153
Location: ‘Heart Aflame’, Killenard, Portarlington, Co. Laois.
See link Catholic Ireland.Net article – full text
See also Heart Aflame Visitor Centre Brochure 2018
What a glorious event! We were at the crossroads of past, present and future!
You are right. ‘Heart Aflame’ at Mount St. Anne’s provides such an accessible and immediate contact with Presentation Life through its beautiful design, material content from life, and close proximity to Nature that you cannot help going away inspired by the past and current expression of Nano Nagle’s life and ministry. To have such an opportunity, almost on our ‘door-steps’ is gift indeed.