Presentation Convent
Daniel O'Connell Heritage Trail Stop 10
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 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
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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 • Churches & Religion • Education • Man-Made Features. 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. Marker is on O'Connell Street, 0.1 kilometers north of Church Street/Ring of Kerry (National Route N70), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cahersiveen, Munster V23 H729, Ireland. Touch for directions.
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
Also see . . .
1. Order of the Presentation. (Submitted on November 9, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Presentation Sisters at Wikipedia. (Submitted on November 9, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Cahersiveen Kerry. (Submitted on November 9, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
