Heritage
Honouring Our Heritage
A rich legacy of compassion, service, and spiritual reflection—rooted in Stanhope Street since 1819.
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A rich legacy of compassion, service, and spiritual reflection—rooted in Stanhope Street since 1819.
The Sanctuary field and garden hold within them a deep heritage stretching back over two centuries. What was once a fruit and vegetable garden tended by the Religious Sisters of Charity has transformed into a space of mindfulness, healing, and connection—yet it continues to carry forward the original mission of compassion and care.
From the founding of the Sisters of Charity to the creation of today’s Labyrinth and Nature & Healing Space, each chapter of this land reflects a commitment to spiritual growth, social outreach, and community well-being.
This field and garden have long been a place of care, reflection, and renewal. From the footsteps of the first Sisters of Charity in the 1800s to the creation of today’s labyrinth and healing spaces, each chapter in its history tells a story of service, transformation, and quiet resilience.
Mary Aikenhead founded the Religious Sisters of Charity
Mary Aikenhead and her Sisters moved into Stanhope Street and established the first novitiate of the Religious Sisters of Charity. From Stanhope Street, the Sisters visited the sick in the area and the local workhouse, known as the Grangegorman asylum.
Over the past 200 years the Religious Sisters of Charity have been developing and adapting the vision and mission of Mary Aikenhead in the area, through education, youth work, social work, addiction services, housing and spirituality.
The convent building and a portion of land was gifted by the Religious Sisters of Charity to Focus Ireland for housing people experiencing homelessness.
Another portion of land was gifted to the Sanctuary for a meditation/mindfulness centre
A temporary prefabricated primary school was erected, in what was orignally the fruit and vegetable garden
In the spirit of Mary Aikenhead an outreach befriending service, began from the Sanctuary for people living with amental health needs.
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The land previously occupied by the temporary primary school, was leased to the Sanctuary by the Religious Sisters of Charity.
The Sanctuary labryinth and walkways were created. Its heritage apple, plum and pear trees and wildflowers all reflecting the space where the sisters walked and prayed in 1819.
A benefactor, very generously contributed to the creation of a Nature and Healing space and programme in the Sanctuary field.
From 1819 to today, the land at Stanhope Street has remained a place of service, stillness, and spiritual care. As The Sanctuary continues to grow, it does so in deep connection with its roots—embodying the same values that inspired Mary Aikenhead over 200 years ago.
“The legacy of Mary Aikenhead lives not only in the history of these grounds, but in the quiet healing they continue to offer each day.”
To support the continued care and development of this special space, please consider making a donation or becoming a Friend of The Sanctuary.
