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The Presentation community of sisters is in Listowel since 1844, and from the outset it is engaged in educating girls.At first they had a primary school only, but many of the early pupils would have been much older than today's primary school pupils, such was the extent of educational deprivation prior to the nun's arrival. Pupils were taught the three R's, Christian Doctrine and various arts and crafts.
During the famine years the sisters secured a contract for their girls to make shirts for the men in the workhouse, and loose garments for the women, at a few pence per garment. The sisters did all they could to relieve the hardship of those years. They provided breakfasts for up to 250 daily. Until their resources ran out, they continued to feed and clothe the starving.
In 1855 the new school was built and for the next 137 years generations of Listowel girls received their primary education there. In 1930 the secondary top was set up.In 1942 a second level school was recognised by the Dept of Education. The enrolment was 60 girls. Today it is nearly 10 times that number. The latest extension was added to the school in 1985.
In 1988 the foundation was laid for two new primary schools sharing the same campus. The Presentation Primary and Nano Nagle Special school, housed under one roof, enable children with special needs to integrate happily at work and play.
The old buildings, left when the new school was built were soon put to good use by the sisters. The Listowel Laundry for the Elderly operated from the old school, as did The Family Centre, caring especially for the needs of young mothers.
Sadly, in 2008, the convent finally closed and the house and chapel were stripped and the contents auctioned off.
If you are a past pupil of Presentation Secondary School, and if you remember me, I would love you to e-mail me,
here and let me know what you are at now. To make it easier for me to identify you, please include in your message the year you left school.
Click on the icon 
to return to my home page
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