In 1830 our congregation opened its first school in Gardiner Street, Dublin. Today we continue to be involved in education at both primary and secondary levels, as well as running programmes for adult learners. Our Sisters are involved at various levels as principals, teachers, board members, chaplains, and learning support providers.

In the area of education, a number of our sisters have been involved with new initiatives. In Crumlin, one of our sisters has pioneered the way forward with the St. Agnes’ Primary School Violin Project, an innovative project that gives every child in the school the opportunity of learning a musical instrument, regardless of ability of pay. St. Agnes’ Community Youth Orchestra has grown out of this project and involves children from the school who wish to further their musical experience beyond the classroom. Parents and grandparents of the children in the school, have also come together to form a Parent’s Orchestra. All of this means that music is changing lives across many generations in Crumlin — the age range of the musicians is three to 80 years old!

The Haven Adult Education Centre is another initiative and was formally opened in 2008. This is based in the heart of Dublin’s south inner city, Basin Lane, providing opportunities for both children and their parents to improve their situation educationally, socially and personally. (thehavenbasinlane.ie)

A new form of education was pioneered by one of our sisters in 1991 with The Young Social Innovators programme. More than 30,000 young people from the four provinces of Ireland have been involved in community action trying ‘to change our world for good’. (youngsocialinnovators.ie)