About
About The Sanctuary
A Place of Peace, Connection, and Well-Being
A Place of Peace, Connection, and Well-Being
About
A Place of Peace, Connection, and Well-Being
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We are delighted to welcome you to the Sanctuary!
As the Sanctuary is almost thirty years old, we would also like to express our gratitude to the many people who have helped it become what it is today – all the volunteers, staff and benefactors. The Sanctuary could not exist without you.
Join thousands who engage with the Sanctuary through our newsletters, meditation offerings, and diverse courses each year.
The Sanctuary, located on Stanhope Street, Dublin 7, was founded in 1998 by Sisters Stanislaus Kennedy and Síle Wall. The address may sound familiar—Stanhope Street is where Mary Aikenhead established her first novitiate over 200 years ago, marking the beginnings of the Sisters of Charity.
What a gift for the Sanctuary to have such a deep-rooted wisdom tradition as its foundation!
At its heart, the Sanctuary is a meditation centre in North Inner City Dublin. It is a peaceful, welcoming space dedicated to meditation and mindfulness. Alongside this core focus, it offers a variety of programmes, courses, workshops, and events, each drawing from one or more of its four pillars: Meditation, Spirituality, Creativity, and Community. One yoga participant described it as "the well I return to again and again to replenish my soul."
Like Mary Aikenhead, the Sanctuary responds to hidden needs—social, psychological, and spiritual—welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds, seekers and searchers of all ages.
The Sanctuary receives no state funding and relies entirely on donations, voluntary support, and income from its activities. However, no one is ever turned away. Its Turn No One Away policy ensures access to its services for those facing financial difficulties, illness, unemployment, mental health challenges, addiction, homelessness, or disability.
On one of the wettest, coldest Saturdays in September 2023, the Sanctuary celebrated its silver jubilee. It was a wonderful gathering, bringing together people connected to the Sanctuary over the years. Despite the weather, over 100 guests filled its indoor spaces and outdoor marquee, where Irish music, dance, shared stories, and warm hospitality made for a truly memorable occasion.
Marking 25 years on Stanhope Street is another milestone in the ongoing journey of our congregation.
The Sanctuary is a company limited by guarantee, with a strong Board of Governance since 1998. The site was generously gifted by the Religious Sisters of Charity.
The Sanctuary was featured on Nationwide on RTÉ, Monday 11th December 2023.
A space of stillness, reflection, and growth—guided by mindfulness, compassion, and community.
Nourishing Personal Growth for Greater Social Impact
EMBODY stillness, beauty, creativity and spirituality.
ENABLE people to develop self-awareness which is fundamental to growth and healing.
CONNECT people more compassionately with themselves and their environment, community and society.
“The Sanctuary has five core values that define what we stand for:
Integrity | Respect | eQuality | Inclusivity | Compassion
Our values inform our actions and activities.
Explore the rich heritage behind The Sanctuary—from its origins in 1819 to the peaceful spaces we nurture today.
