We are Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. We are a worldwide Order or Religious Family with approximately eleven thousand nuns in all continents. We live a cloistered contemplative life, following in the footsteps of St. Teresa of Avila, Spain. St Teresa re-founded the Order in sixteenth century.

There have been Carmelite nuns in Ireland since the seventeenth century and, at present there are six monasteries in Ireland.

Our communities consist of Catholic women with great diversity in nationalities, life experience, gifts and representing all age groups. Our aim is to support each other in our endeavour to witness to the gospel by lives of service and self-giving, our primary mission being one of contemplative prayer.

The timetable is an important feature of our life. It provides a regular, prayerful rhythm to the day and ensures the time needed for the fulfilment of our obligations, both spiritual and material.

The structure it provides helps us to keep a healthy balance between all the elements that make it up: prayer and work, study and relaxation. On certain feast days and special occasions the timetable is modified to allow extra time for personal relaxation and for celebrating together.

History

The source of Carmelite Spirituality can be look back to the hermits who lived on Mount Carmel around the 12th century which is reflected in our Rule of life. It is the hermit life supported by community. When the hermits moved to Europe they began to share their spiritual riches with devout women.