09/06/2026
Archives are places of memory in the Christian community and sources of learning and evangelisation today and for generations to come. How fitting then that the Presentation Sisters Congregational Archives (PSCA) located at Nano Nagle Place, Cork, would host a seminar in honour of the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the Presentation Sisters by Nano Nagle in 1775 close to that very site.
The aptly titled seminar, ‘Unlocking Archival History’, took place on 22 May 2026. Words of Welcome and opening remarks were given by Sr Sheila De Sa (CLT Archives Link) and John Smith (CEO Nano Nagle Place). This was followed by a series of wonderful papers presented by scholars whose work involved delving into the collections held at the PSCA: Dr Catriona Clear (NUI Galway), Sr Anne Lyons (Congregational Postulator), Bushara Mansoor (UCD Architect Graduate), Sr Mary Ivers (Nano Nagle Place Community), Adam Kane (PhD History researcher, UCD) and Sr Mary O’ Brien (Mary Immaculate College, Limerick).
The day marked the culmination of months of work by the Congregational Archives Advisory and Events Planning Group: Sr Rosarie Lordan (PSCA Congregational Archivist), Katie Connick (PSCA Assistant Archivist), Sally-Anne Wade (Unit Archivist, North-East Province, Ireland), Sr Susan Richert (Unit Leadership Team, England). On behalf of the Congregational Leadership Team, Sr Sheila expressed deep gratitude to all involved in making the seminar such a special occasion.