"This book makes a novel contribution to our understanding of the provision of welfare services by non-state agencies, it explores the socio-economic origins of recruits and the importance of the contribution made by the nuns, many of them Irish women migrants, to educational and social development in England and Wales." "Fully illustrated, it also provides maps and valuable tabulated data to open up this field of research for social history scholars and others interested in the achievements of these women."--Jacket.