Genealogical line of Nano Nagle

The family tree contains the names of prominent family members who were pivotal in furthering Nano’s design to establish schools for the education of the poor.

This includes Nano’s brother, affluent merchant Joseph Nagle, with whom Nano resided when she arrived in Cork city in 1754. Here, Nano immediately began the task of setting up schools for the education of the poor. She kept much of these activities secret from Joseph, fearing it would earn him the censure of the Protestant community. While he was initially alarmed to discover her involvement in setting up these schools, he soon contributed significantly to their financial upkeep and expansion. His wife Francis was also influential in facilitating the education of the poor. By threatening to withdraw financial contribution if her demands were not met, she succeeded in persuading Nano to take on boys in the poor schools. 

Another prominent family member who contributed significantly to the development of Nano’s work was her uncle, Joseph Nagle. Joseph Nagle was also an affluent merchant in the city, and described by Nano as one of ‘the most disliked by the Protestants of any Catholic in the kingdom’. Following Joseph’s death in 1757 he bequeathed a large sum of money to Nano, which was utilised to further her work in the schools.

Perhaps the most important family member in Nano Nagle’s life was her sister Ann. When Nano stayed with her in Bachelors Walk, Dublin, in 1754, Ann donated a valuable piece of silk Nano owned to relieve a distressed family. It was this act which immediately impacted the young Nano's attitude towards the poor.