Nano Nagle - Early Years

Early Years

She was the eldest of seven children - her brothers and sisters were Ann, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, David, and Joseph. She learned in those early years the truth taken for granted by the Nagles and other Catholic and Protestant dissenters: that God comes first, and that for His sake possessions, freedom, life itself must be risked if need be. Fortunately, Joseph Nagle, her uncle, was able to set aside these values and converted to Protestantism, thus removing risk of loss of the families extensive holdings. She learned in childhood that knowledge and learning are precious gifts, to be valued and shared, however her priveleged upbringing abroad meant that she remained unaware of the plight of Ireland's poor until her return to Ireland.