During Nano Nagle’s life span, Ireland was under the authority of British Penal laws. These laws prohibited Irish people from receiving education. Nano Nagle responded to the needs of her community by providing education for the poor and underprivileged (illegally) by establishing a school for the poor and marginalised.
Nano Nagle was born in Ballygriffin into a relatively wealthy family. She likely attended a hedge school near her house and travelled to Paris to complete her education. At the time, the “First Act of 1695” prohibited one to institute a school at home and was seen as equally treasonable for one to travel overseas to receive education. This was punishable by fines, jail time and, in severe cases even by execution (Nanonaglebirthplace.ie,
