As we mark 250 years since Venerable Nano Nagle first lit her lantern (1775 – 2025) and began her mission of compassion, courage, and justice, we celebrate the extraordinary journey of the Presentation Congregation.
From one woman walking the dark lanes of 18th Century Cork to a global network of Presentation People standing for hope, education, and human dignity, this anniversary (to be celebrated in the coming twelve months, from December 2025) is both a remembrance and a renewal.
The life of Nano continues to inspire.
[In Image above: (L to R) – Sr. Ann Marie Quinn, Provincial Leader, NE Province (Ireland), Vanessa Jones, the artist of Nano’s Portrait, with the Congregational Leadership Team: Sr. Miriam Martin, Sr. Sharon Fagan (Congregational Leader), Sr. Joy Puerta, Sr. Sheila De Sa, Sr. Rosarie Lordan (Congregational Archivist), Sr. Anne O’Leary, (Assistant Leader)].
Women on Walls
This is why we were so delighted at the juxtaposition of Accenture’s Women on Walls campaign at University College Cork with our own anniversary celebrations.
The Women on Walls campaign seeks to make women leaders visible through a series of commissioned portraits that create a lasting cultural legacy for Ireland. This is in fact, the fourth chapter of Women on Walls, and the first outside Dublin.
These portraits celebrate eleven trailblazing women from, or with links to, the Munster region. Portraits of these outstanding women will be permanently on display in the Aula Maxima (UCC) inspiring current and future generations.
Honora ‘Nano’ Nagle (1718-1784) is one of these women. As is Dr. Naomi Masheti, Programme Director of the Cork Migrant Centre, based in Nano Nagle Place, Douglas Street, Cork City.
Nano Nagle is recognised in the citation as a ‘pioneering educator, defender of the poor and founder of the Presentation Sisters’.
“Her achievement: Working outside the law – and the conventions of her class – Nano Nagle set up schools for poor Catholic children at a time when the Penal Laws in Ireland forbade them. Born into a distinguished family in Cork in 1718, she might have settled into the genteel life of an 18th century woman. However, when she returned to live in Cork in the 1750’s she was struck by the extreme poverty and lack of education among children and resolved to do something about it”.
Nano Nagle established seven schools for Catholic children, an alms house for elderly women and later, a new congregation that would become the Presentation Congregation”. (Extract from Women on Walls Information Launch Booklet).
The collection of portraits was officially unveiled in November 2025, following the first public call for subject nominations which received 600 submissions. The project was managed by Business to Arts. To read more about Women on Walls – see www.accenture.com/womenonwalls
Women of the South
Among the other pioneering woman recognised in portraiture is Dr. Naomi Masheti, who featured in a group portrait as part of the collection.
Dr. Naomi Masheti is a psychologist, three-time UCC graduate and Programme Director of the Cork Migrant Centre”.
Originally from Kenya, Naomi has been living in Cork since 2001. In 2024 she received a Cork Lord Mayor’s Community and Voluntary Award in recognition of her work and contribution ot social justice.
“Her achievement: Dr. Naomi Masheti puts migrants first and their needs at the centre of her work as co-ordinator of the Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place. She works closely with families in direct provision and, drawing on her scholarship, she has developed culturally sensitive programmes designed to create a safe place for migrant families while promoting wellbeing and integration”. (Extract from Women on Walls Information Launch Booklet).
See Cork Migrant Centre https://www.corkmigrantcentre.ie/
The series of four portraits (one group portrait and three individual portraits) are as follows:
Julianne Guinee painter of the group portrait of:
- Brigid Carmody, Coordinator of Cork Traveller Women’s Network, a grass-roots community organisation that works for Traveller rights, leadership, culture and heritage.
- Mary Crilly, feminist activist and founding member and CEO of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork.
- Dr. Myra Cullinane, medical doctor, barrister and Senior Dublin District coroner who held the Stardust inquests.
- Dr. Evelyn Grant, musician, broadcaster, educator, arts advocate, social entrepreneur and co-founder of the Cork Pops Orchestra.
- Dr. Naomi Masheti, psychologist, three-time UCC graduate and Programme Director of the Cork Migrant Centre.
- Dr. Patricia Sheahan, consultant palliative care physician and head of palliative care at University Hospital Kerry.
- Caitríona Twomey, volunteer co-ordinator of Cork Penny Dinners, a charity that offers food and support to anyone in need.
- Dola Twomey, therapist/activist at the Sexual Violence Centre Cork.
Gerry Davis painter of the individual portrait of Edna O’Brien (1930–2024), novelist, memoirist, playwright and poet
Vanessa Jones painter of the individual portrait of Honora “Nano” Nagle (1718–1784), pioneering educator and founder of the Presentation Sisters
Vera Klute painter of the individual portrait of Joanne O’Riordan, sports journalist, disability activist and motivational speaker
About Vanessa Jones – painter of Nano Nagle’s portrait:
Vanessa is a visual artist, born in Tennessee, living and working in Dublin. Her paintings have received multiple awards. She is also the winner of the inaugural self-portrait Sequested Prize, 2021 based in London. Her portraits have been shortlisted from 2021- 2023 in the Zurich Portrait Prize at the National Gallery of Ireland , and she has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions widely. Her works are in multiple private and national collections across Europe, America and Asia. Vanessa is currently a part-time lecturer in the Painting Department at the National College of Art and Design, Dublin.
About Julianne Guinee painter of the group portrait ‘Women of the South’.
Julianne is an Irish figurative painter based in Buttevant, County Cork. She works primarily in oils, exp0loring the complexities of the human form and the quiet magic of everyday life. Her work balances tender intimacy with a subtle narrative depth.
She is best known for her depictions of childhood, and she exhibits throughout Ireland. In 2024 her work was selected for the 194th RHA Annual Exhibition. In 2025 she appeared on Sky Arts ‘Portrait Artist of the Year’.
[Text for Artist’s bio’s taken from the Women on Walls Launch Booklet prepared by Accenture Ireland].
