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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons. Nagle reflects on herself and believes she has many faults. She compares the former novice mistress in the Ursuline monastery in Paris to the mustard seed in the Gospel, and expresses hope that the Cork foundation will succeed with her at the helm. She reports on sending boys to the West Indies on missionary work and mentions that the children are brought up to be fond of instructing. She also assures Miss Fitzsimons that she knows that she will take diligent care of the young ladies (novices) and requests her to convey her compliments to the superior, novice mistress, former novice mistress, and young ladies. Nagle tells Fitzsimons that she does not feel fatigue in relation to the school and requests the novice not to be uneasy about her physical health, though she does suffer a great deal in mind.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Mulally


Letter from Nano Nagle to Teresa Mulally informing her of the contents of a letter from her sister, Mrs (Elizabeth) French, regarding her conversation with Miss Bellew in relation to the claim on the Coppinger bequest for funds to support a Dublin foundation. Nagle apologises for the brevity of the letter.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Mulally


Letter from Nano Nagle to Teresa Mulally describing the manner of Miss Brady's departure from the convent in Cork. Nagle was concerned that the Ursulines would take Brady in as she has a fortune, so she requested Dr. Butler to intercede on her behalf; the Ursulines have agreed not to take as postulants any girls that Nano has received. Nagle tells Mulally that Miss Creagh, who appears to have delivered many letters between the two correspondents, will explain the circumstances around Brady's departure in more detail. Nagle also informs her that she has not heard anything further from Mrs. French regarding her conversations with Miss Bellew.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons apologising for her lack of contact due to time constraints. Nagle struggles to express her joy on hearing Mary Kavanagh has joined the group bound for Ireland. She communicates that [Fr. Patrick] Doran is eager for the prompt departure of Miss Fitzsimons and the other novices from Paris as he anticipates future opposition on the part of the Superior, "the French lady". Nagle declares her satisfaction with the progress and condition of the house which is being built for the novices. She promises to supply them with every necessity in her power, bearing in mind the limitations of being "in a country [where] we cant doe as we please".

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Mulally


Letter from Nano Nagle to Teresa Mulally following the latter's three week visit to Cork. Nagle regrets that her preoccupation with her nieces, who came down from Galway on their way to Cambrai, France, had prevented her from taking full advantage of Mulally's presence. To add to the dilemma, the girls' father, Mr. (Robert) French, had injured his leg in Spa, Southern Netherlands, so could not meet his daughters at Cambrai. She also refers to a prospective postulant who is involved in a lawsuit against a family member who has spent part of her dowry. Nagle reports that she has asked her sister, Mrs. (Elizabeth) French, to prevail upon her friends, the Bellews, to release some of a hoped-for bequest left by Mrs. Elizabeth Coppinger, Rossmore, Cork.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Mulally


Letter from Nano Nagle to Teresa Mulally following the latter's second visit to Cork. Nagle expresses relief that Miss Bellew seemed so well disposed to Mulally's wishes. Nagle informs Mulally of her quest for model Constitutions, she describes in detail the Rule of the Third of St. Francis and the Rule of the Hospitaliers of the Order of St. Thomas de Villeneuve, and inquires as to which rule Mulally deems most suitable for the congregation.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons discussing the establishment and success of her first schools in Cork, and the method of education employed therein. Nagle states that it is always a pleasure to hear from Fitzsimons. She also refers to early reactions to her ministry from the Nagle family, the circumstances of postulants travelling to the Ursuline monastery in Paris, the background of two new aspirants, Miss Coppinger and Miss Shea, and the recent outbreak of measles in Cork. Nagle declares, "If I could be of any service in saving souls in any part of the globe, I would willingly do all in my power".

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Mulally


Letter from Nano Nagle to Teresa Mulally indicating that she has set £7 aside to be sent to Dublin. Nagle chides Mulally for falling into dejection, “I dont approve of your disponding so much”, and writes that even if neither of them live to see their work prosper during their lifetimes, hopefully it will succeed after their deaths "and be of universale service to the kingdome". She also describes the reception of a very promising novice and assures Mulally of the community's most affectionate compliments. Whereas all previous letters to Mulally were addressed “Dear Madam”, this last extant letter, written just over a year before Nagle's death, opens with “My Dear's friend”.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons noting the writer's anxiety at not receiving letters from Fitzsimons or Dr. Moylan. Nagle comments that the proposed date of the novices’ arrival in Cork has not yet been fixed and discusses the problem of finding a professed religious to act as superior. A letter has been sent to Paris seeking a “categorical answer” as to whether the intended journey to Cork will go ahead. The author offers Miss Fitzsimons financial advice and recalls her own monetary woes, she notes that “money is at present so scarce, and such a run on the Bankers in this kingdome, that people cant get what is due to them”. Nagle shows her endearing concern for Mary Kavanagh, who is now teaching the poor children of Paris, and communicates her disappointment that the Ursulines will not come to Cork that winter.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Mulally


Letter from Nano Nagle to Teresa Mulally apologising for not replying to her letter sooner and expressing regret that her precarious finances would not allow her undertake a foundation in St. Michan's Parish, Dublin. She hopes that Mulally lives long enough to see the Sisters of Charitable Instruction established in that city some day. Letter highlights importance of word of mouth as Miss Fitzsimons has updated Nagle on Mulally's health. Nagle reports that the lady recommended by Mulally has settled in happily, and offers to pay for Miss Corballis to visit Cork for respite. She informs Mulally that she has dismissed some of her lay teachers as they were neglecting the children and taught "only for bread". She communicates her aspirations for the nuns, “wan thing I am resolv’d to make a rule, among us, is that we never dine abroad, or visit or go ab[road] only to the chaple, the schools or business…I hope we will show the world, that nothing makes us go out only when charity oblige us”.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons expressing her pleasure at receiving another letter from her and hoping they will meet in person soon. Nagle mentions her delight that Fitzsimons will be professed in Cork, and that the former novice mistress of the Ursuline monastery in Paris has consented to lead the new foundation in Ireland. She notes that [Francis] Moylan will do everything in his power to assist with this foundation. Nano is troubled to hear of her cousin's (Margaret Nagle) "histirick" or propensity to develop violent fits. The issue is causing some disagreement within the Ursuline community, who are under the impression that the disorder is contagious.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons in which she speculates about her investments in Paris and expresses her disappointment at the low interest paid. Nagle complains that Mr. Waters, banker, would not tell her anything about the East India Company. She appears fretful and vexed; fretful that the second effort at making an Ursuline foundation in Cork would fail again, and vexed that the interest paid by the East India Company had fallen to one half of its former value. Nagle asserts that it was the general opinion that few foreigners would ever again put their money in the French funds. She requests Miss Fitzsimons to present her compliments to her former mistress, communicates her affection for her correspondent, and mentions the young ladies and Miss Smith.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Mulally


Letter from Nano Nagle to Teresa Mulally indicating that, at the behest of Dr. Moylan, she had taken in three women to assist in her education ministry the previous Christmas. She reveals that two of the women will establish a foundation in County Kerry and encloses a copy of their rule, "its called the sisters of the charitable instruction of the sacred heart of Jesus...I could wish that we may unite in this society, and am confident the great God will direct you to what is most for his glory".

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Mulally


Letter from Nano Nagle to Teresa Mulally in which she describes taking possession of her convent on 15 July 1780. The women were prevented from moving in immediately because the rear wall of the property had to be broken in order for carts to come in and deliver stones to build a "garden wall for the ladies". Nagle refers to the anti-Catholic Gordon Riots in London and her fear that "the same contagious frenzy may break out in this kingdome". She also discusses her dismissal of Miss Wolf, conveys greetings from Dr. Moylan, sends news of mutual acquaintances, and reports an improvement in her eye condition.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter sent from Bath, England, written while Nano is visiting her brothers there. She alludes to previous correspondence which detailed the foundation of her first schools in Cork, and how she withheld this from her family who until lately were uninformed of her work. While aware that her actions run contrary to Penal Laws, she is determined to continue. Nagle also writes that she has recently objected to a suggestion put forth by Mr. [Bryan Keating], merchant, South Mall, Cork, and Dr. [John] Butler, Bishop of Cork, to seek Protestant approval for the new Ursuline foundation in Cork; she leaves it to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons to judge.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Mulally


Copy letter from Nano Nagle to Teresa Mulally welcoming Mulally and Miss (Ann) Corballis' return to health and expressing hope that they will accept the Rule of the Sisters of the Charitable Instruction; if it is not God's will that Mulally and her companions will take vows, they can still rely on the Sisters in Cork to do all in their power to establish a foundation in "the metropolise". Nagle refers to "many disagreeable circumstances", the convent under construction in Cork which she hopes will attract young ladies with substantial dowries, and the reception of a young aspirant of great merit.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons giving an account of a "very desirable" young lady (Miss Lawless) whom she is seeking to take on in Cork. The lady's father is strongly opposed to her taking the veil and he has offered her a substantial sum of money should she reconsider and marry. The father's uncertainty also reflects the wider political climate of the period, Nagle notes "...he says there is a probability in France they may Demolish all the Monasteries". Nagle affirms Miss Fitzsimons and advises her to choose "any young lady you think proper" to enter the novitiate in Paris. Nagle's agitation over bringing the Ursulines to Cork is also apparent, "I hope your fortitude will bring you true all crosses and put a happy conclusion to this foundation".

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