Sr Cyril Mooney, formerly of Bray, Co Wicklow left Irish shores in 1956 to work in Kolkata, India (formerly Calcutta).
She was born in 1936, decided at the young age of 13 to become a nun and won a scholarship to Loreto Convent in Bray.
Sr Cyril recalled leaving Ireland by boat, with the voyage beginning from Dun Laoghaire.
Only 19 at the time of leaving the country, the elderly nun has spent the last 60 years in India.
The nun has received the highest civilian honour in India, the Padma Shri for her work in education.
She is principal of Loreto Sealdah since 1979 and recalls the first time she brought poor street children into the school. Sr Cyril also allowed the homeless students to sleep in the school.
Sr Cyril remarked on the kindness of young Irish people, describing them as “exceptional in comparison with anywhere”.
She said “The Irish come out with one clear intention which is to serve”.