Nano Nagle Place to Mark 250 Years of the Presentation Sisters on Culture Night

Nano Nagle Place is set to open a major new exhibition marking the 250th anniversary of the Presentation Sisters, the religious order founded by Nano Nagle whose legacy of education and justice still shapes the Cork city centre site today.

"250 Years of The Presentation Sisters; Lighting the Way" opens to the public on Culture Night, Friday 18 September, and will run through to the summer of 2027. The exhibition traces the Order's story from its foundation in 18th century Cork to its growth across more than 20 countries worldwide, and will feature traditional native dishes and recipes from the many cultures the Sisters have lived and worked in. Visitors will also be invited to contribute their own recipes to reflect the many cultures and traditions represented by those who visit.

John Smith, CEO of Nano Nagle Place:

"250 years is such a significant milestone for the Presentation Sisters, and we here at Nano Nagle Place are so proud to be able to host this important exhibition, which offers a global lens on the Presentation story. This exhibition builds on our previous exhibitions, which focused first on Cork and then on the growth of the Presentation order across Ireland – and now, for the first time, the global story takes pride of place. Launching this on Culture Night is highly significant for us, as we welcome so many people to our site on what is one of the most significant heritage moments in our calendar."

The exhibition launch anchors a wider programme of free Culture Night events at the site. From 5pm to 9pm, the Global Hub hosts the Irish debut of Ceangailte, a new audiovisual installation by Cork-born, Berlin-based artists David Mathúna and Jake Riordan, shown alongside a parallel screening in Berlin. Drawing on the Irish word ceangailte, meaning "tied", "connected" or "bound", the piece uses dual-screen display, immersive audio and sculptural elements to explore how media narratives shape understanding of colonialism, oppression and resilience.

At 6pm, the Conference Space hosts a screening of Drowned Land, a documentary from director and producer Colleen Thurston examining environmental justice, Indigenous resilience and efforts to protect Oklahoma's Kiamichi River. A panel discussion and Q&A with the director follows, with themes of river protection and community stewardship expected to resonate strongly with Cork audiences and the city's own relationship with the River Lee.

Nano Nagle Place, a heritage and community site in the heart of Cork city, preserves the story of Nano Nagle at the location where she lived, worked and is buried. The centre continues her work through education and social inclusion projects, including the Cork Migrant Centre.

The full Culture Night programme, including the new exhibition, is free and open to the public on Friday 18 September.