Mount Carmel, from which the Carmelites take their name, is suggestive of beauty and encounter with God.  It is the mountain associated with the sacrifice of Elijah the prophet.  It is know in tradition as Mary’s garden and it is the place where the first Carmelites gathered together and set out a way of life that is know to this day as a way that leads to holiness.

The Carmelite Friary Retreat and Spirituality Centre in Kinsale would like to be such a place.  Here we offer people the opportunity to come and rest for a while, to pray on their own or with the Carmelite Community, or with the local people in the Friary Church.

People wishing to make a retreat may enjoy the help of the Carmelite Community as well as the comfortable en-suite rooms.  The centre can accommodate up to five guests at any one time.  Lay people, religious or priests will all find the centre itself and the beauties of the Kinsale area a great help to stop, reflect and pray.

Those who stay with us are not charged for their stay but we welcome any donation that people may wish to make for the upkeep of the Centre.