THE PRESENTATION CONVENT WEXFORD - AN OUTLINE HISTORY
The story of the Presentation Order in Wexford starts on October 2nd 1818.The first members of the Wexford community were Mother de Sales Devereux and Sister Mary Baptist Frayne, who had completed their Noviceship at theConvent in Kilkenny. The object and end of the institution was in those days much more important than beauty of buildings. So in providing a home for the first community atWexford the funds bequeathed by a generous citizen, Mr. Carroll of the Faythe, were devoted to raising a simple modern residence with nothing inits exterior to show that it was the home of Religious. Amongst the earliest benefactors of the convent were Mr. Thomas Brennan, Dr. Sinnot of St. Peter's College, and Mary, Countess of Shrewsbury.
The early history of the Presentation Order in Wexford leaves a delightful record. The education of the poor was its first objective. At the earliestpossible moment a school was opened in the room directly underneath theChapel - now the Children of Mary sodality room. Amongst the first to share the instruction of the Presentation sisters were the children of the Talbot Orphanage. Mrs. Kenny-Mother Augustine, lived to see her beloved convent rise from humble beginnings to the meridian of its splendour. The increasing population of Wexford round 1850 called for much larger school accomadation. The first school for boys was opened and blessed by Dr.Warren on 1st June, 1882. In 1901 the large hall for science, drill and cookery was built. Twenty years later the demands of a growing community necessitated the building of a second wing on the opposite side. This addition was a splendid work from the hand of one of Ireland's best architects, William Hague.
Today the Presentation Order is found in every English-speaking country andin many non-Christiancountries as well, and where-ever they may be, the white flame that was the spirit of Nano Nagle lights the way. 'For all her ways are gentleness and all her paths are peace.' When, in the 60's the rationalisation process got under way, the issue arose of eliminating the three secondary tops in Wexford and instead,establishing one other secondary school for girls - the Loreto already having secondary school status. The Presentation, having the largest numberof pupils at a time - due mainly to the very large commercial/secretarial class which we ran - was chosen to become the second secondary school. Since we were still under the primary department Sr. Oliver, the principalat that time, found it difficult to find qualified teachers who were willing to teach in the secondary top and this presented a problem. Sr. Margaret Sullivan, who became principal in January '71, applied for and received Secondary status for the school as from July 1971, after which a new principal, Sr. Gertrude Griffiths and Vice-Principal, Mrs. Cantwell were appointed to the junior Primary School, and a new Vice-Principal to the Secondary, in the person of Mrs. Eileen Herlihy.
In the following seven years, there was a very rapid increase in numbers ofboth pupils and staff. The school enrollment increased from 400+ to 700 in1978. In the meantime, the school building, which had already been condemned, was quite inadequate. At one stage, the idea of sharing facilities with Loreto school was suggested by the Department, a prospect not welcomed by either school.Much work went into fund-raising efforts. Sr. Teresa McCormack becamePrincipal in August '78 and continued in that capacity until '86. She wassucceed as school Principal by Sr. Frances O'Mahoney, who was succeeded inturn by the school's first lay principal, Ms. Marian Heeney.
