Cahersiveen in County Kerry, Munster, Ireland — Irish South-West ((Éire) North Atlantic Ocean)

Presentation Convent

Daniel O'Connell Heritage Trail Stop 10

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 19, 2019

1. Presentation Convent Marker

Inscription. In the early 19th century Daniel O'Connell was very conscious of the need to educate the people of South Kerry and so he bought a rectors lodge in Bank Street. He invited nuns from the Presentation Order to come and set up a school to help eradicate the high rate of illiteracy that existed in the area. On October 20th 1840 Sr. Mary Joseph O'Mahony, a cousin of O'Connell and daughter of O'Mahony who resided in Castlequin, arrived for school on the first day. The 3 R's were taught on the curriculum and handicrafts such as needlework and lace making were introduced. During the famine the school was closed (1845-1848) and the sisters opened a soup kitchen to help the needy of the area. The famine also had its effects on the Presentation Community and 8 nuns died before reaching the age of 40. Plague and starvation made inroads into the young Presentation sisters. In 1854 the school introduced industrial employment to the curriculum, especially lace making and orders came in from America, England and France. Sr. Clare Duffy arrived in 1855 and she organised the industrial school which became known a[s] the 'Factory'. It continued

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to operate until the 1940's. The sisters purchased the site of the old Munster and Leinster bank on the opposite side of the road and with the advent of free education a new secondary school was built in 1964 at the cost of £25,000. With increasing numbers an extension was added in 1982 costing £480,000. Following the amalgamation of the post primary school in 1999 the Presentation sisters left post primary education. In 2004 a lay principal was appointed to the primary school. After 164 years, the Presentation sisters were no longer involved in education in South Kerry.

You are at No. 10 on the Trail please continue

Erected by ACARD Ltd, The Old Barracks, Wild Atlantic Way, Kerry County Council, and Dept of Social Protection.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is October 20, 1840.

Location. 51° 56.86′ N, 10° 13.558′ W. Marker is in Cahersiveen, Munster, in County Kerry. It is on O'Connell Street 0.1 kilometers north of Church Street/Ring of Kerry (National Route N70), on the right

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 19, 2019

2. Presentation Convent Marker

when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cahersiveen, Munster V23 H729, Ireland. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

on the Atlantic Arc,

in Europe,

on the Island of Ireland,

on the Celtic Fringe,

in the European Union,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); O'Connell Memorial Church (about 90 meters away); War Memorial (about 180 meters away); The Barracks Heritage Centre (about 210 meters away); Railway and O'Connell (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Atlantic College of Wireless & Cable Telegraphy (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Railway (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Ringforts (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahersiveen.

Also see . . .
1. Order of the Presentation. (Submitted on November 9, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Presentation Sisters at Wikipedia.

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(Submitted on November 9, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Caherciveen Town. Ring of Kerry website entry (Submitted on May 8, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,117 times since then and 134 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.