A life away from the world isnt a prison

By Fiona McGarry

IT is hard to imagine that any location at the heart of Galway city could be so tranquil – much less one within a stone’s throw of the cathedral, the university, the hospital and the Garda divisional headquarters. But the home of the Poor Clares, tucked away on Nun’s Island, is exactly that.
The monastery is enclosed, like the order itself, and almost cut off from the city. Despite that, Galway’s 14 Poor Clare sisters – who have dedicated themselves to prayer and contemplation – are deeply connected to the life of Galway city and county and the world far beyond their monastery walls.
“The sound of the rescue helicopter is a regular feature of life here,” remarks Sr Paul, the Mother Abbess, who is from Meelick, Eyrecourt. “When we hear it, we pray for everyone involved. Some of our sisters also listen to the lunchtime news on radio and if there’s something important, we’ll follow it up with prayer.”

Read the full feature in this week's edition.