What secrets lie behind these walls in the Carmelite Monastery Cemetery? This is a place of peace and reflection. It is the final resting place for a community of Carmelite nuns. Let’s explore its history and significance.
The Carmelite Monastery Cemetery is located on Upper Kilmacud Road in Stillorgan. It is in County Dublin. The cemetery is a private one within the Carmelite nuns’ enclosure. It is reserved for the use of the resident community.
The story of this cemetery begins on November 19 1881. Seven Carmelite nuns left Roebuck Carmel. They wanted to establish a new foundation nearby in Kilmacud. Like all Carmels they created a cemetery on their grounds.
The cemetery was consecrated on July 6 1900. His Grace Dr William Walsh Bishop of Dublin performed the ceremony. With only two exceptions the graves belong to sisters of the community. These two exceptions were lay women.
The first of the seven foundresses to pass away was Sr Mary Vincent. Her name was Eliza Murphy. She died in 1884. She was the first person buried in this tranquil cemetery.
The Carmelite Monastery Cemetery is still active today. The most recent burial took place on March 31 2022. Sr Mary Kevin of the Immaculate Conception Maev O’Higgins was buried here.
The Carmelite Nuns of Roebuck founded this sacred ground on November 19 1881. The first burial occurred in 1884 marking the beginning of its use as a final resting place.
While the exact number of memorials isn’t fully documented there are at least eight known memorials. Only a small percentage have been photographed. Even fewer have GPS coordinates recorded.
As you stand here remember the sisters. They dedicated their lives to prayer and contemplation. The Carmelite Monastery Cemetery stands as a testament to their devotion. It is a place of quiet remembrance in the heart of Dublin.