Cathal BarryA senior Presentation nun has defended the order’s decision to spend €10 million on a state of the art visitor centre in Cork to honour their founder, the Venerable Nano Nagle.
Sr Bride Given said the order had “difficulty” deciding whether to invest the money in the tourist centre or to donate the cash to various social justice issues in Ireland and abroad instead.
“We had a certain amount of difficulty and doubt ourselves whether the money should be funnelled to justice issues around the world or should some of it be used for commemoration of this woman who started this kind of work,” Sr Given told The Irish Catholic.
“We decided that it was a worthy project and it might spark people to do something likewise with their lives and in that way that future generations might benefit from it,” she said.
Part of the heritage site, which is due for completion next year, will be dedicated to telling the story of Nano Nagle and what life was like for ordinary people in Cork during the 18th Century.
Projects
The complex will also include projects aimed at providing educational opportunities, social outreach and raising awareness of injustices worldwide.
“We are hoping that what was a very enclosed set of buildings, almost secret in the middle of the city, will be opened out and will be available to the people of Cork and to others that come,” Sr Given said.