Station 5 – Nano Nagle Statue

The Nano Nagle Statue was completed in 2018 by sculptor Ben Tolhurst. The statue is made from dolerite, granite, marble, glass and steel. This statue was commissioned by then Principal Tom Dorey for the College’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 2018. It stands proudly at the front of the College, serving as a welcome to staff, students and visitors alike. The face was modelled on the2017 Head Prefect, Holly Andree, showing that Nano is part of the St Mary’s College community.

Originally, Nano was holding a stone heart with a red cross at its centre. This represented Nano’s deep faith in Christ which motivated her compassionate heart. After a redesign, Nano now holds a lantern which harks back to the times when Nano walked the streets of Cork carrying a lantern, bringing hope and love to those in need. Nano is also standing on three, separate but joined, Celtic spirals which represent the Trinity and connection to Ireland. This appears to float on the water, as if Nano herself has crossed the vast waters between Ireland and Tasmania.

As well as being a symbol of welcome to all who enter, the Nano Nagle Statue is also a reminder that all endeavours in the College take their origins and charism from Venerable Nano Nagle, in her Christ-like life. This statue both inspires and challenges us to carry her lantern of love to all.

Prayer

A Lantern Prayer

God of Eternal Light, Inspire us to be your lanterns in the world.

Lanterns of hope when darkness swirls around.

Lanterns of compassion for those who struggle.

Lanterns of justice for times of challenge.

Lanterns of love for all of those you send us for special care. Amen

Caroline Thompson 2021

Anecdotes

This site and its associated gardens evoke a sense of elegance and beauty, in keeping with the grand facade of the College. However, this space has not always been so beautiful. During World War II, behind the current row of rose bushes, was an air raid shelter. When the air raid practice siren rang out over town, the late Sr Jospeh McVilly pbvm recalled that the students were trained to grab their gas masks and run in an orderly manner to sit in the shelter. They were given an eraser to hold between their teeth so that they did not bite their tongues when bombs were dropped.

Sr Joseph said that muslin material was pasted on the inside of windows of the school, to catch flying pieces of glass during a bombing raid. A bucket of sand sat in each room to throw on any burning embers. This may seem far-fetched, but remember the bombing of Darwin and the Battle of the Coral Sea: an attack from Japan was rightly feared at any time.