A directory of belonging
Places where community is built into where you live — not another club to visit, but somewhere the people around you are part of daily life. Monasteries that welcome guests, cohousing, co-ops, ecovillages, seniors villages, and neighbourhoods that actually function. Start where you are.
Compiled with AI, checked by nobody yet. These are starting points, gathered for Leinster — real places as far as we know, but details change. Verify with a phone call before you set your heart or drive across the state.
An Cuan provides residential care and support for individuals with intellectual disabilities, fostering a warm and inclusive community environment. Residents benefit from personalized care plans and opportunities for social engagement within a supportive setting.
Visit website →Camphill provides residential communities where people with intellectual disabilities and volunteers live and work together. These communities offer a supportive, family-like environment with a focus on mutual care and shared life.
Visit website →Cheeverstown House provides residential care and support services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It offers a community-based living experience with a focus on personal development and social inclusion.
Visit website →L'Arche Dublin is a community where people with and without intellectual disabilities share life together in homes, creating relationships of mutual support and belonging. They offer a unique model of shared living that emphasizes the gifts and contributions of every individual.
Visit website →St. Francis Hospice provides specialist palliative care in a compassionate and supportive residential setting, fostering a sense of community among residents, families, and staff. Their focus is on enhancing quality of life and providing holistic care in a peaceful environment.
Visit website →Sunbeam House Services provides residential care and support for adults with intellectual disabilities in various settings. Their homes aim to create a supportive and inclusive community environment for residents.
Visit website →Tiglin provides residential addiction treatment and rehabilitation services, fostering a supportive community environment for recovery. Residents live together, engaging in structured programs and mutual support to rebuild their lives.
Visit website →CHI develops and manages social housing co-operatives across Ireland, providing secure and affordable homes. While not all are intentional communities, they foster a sense of shared responsibility and neighbourliness among residents.
Visit website →While primarily a food co-operative, the Dublin Food Co-op fosters a strong sense of community among its members and volunteers. It provides a hub for ethical consumption and social interaction, though not a residential co-op itself.
Visit website →Sophia Housing Association offers supported housing and community living for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. They focus on creating stable, community-oriented environments with integrated support services.
Visit website →Cloughjordan Ecovillage is a vibrant, award-winning community focused on sustainable living and social connection. It offers diverse housing options and a strong emphasis on shared activities and environmental stewardship.
Visit website →An Grianán is the residential centre of the Irish Countrywomen's Association, offering short-term stays and courses in a community setting. It welcomes women of all ages looking for connection and learning opportunities.
Visit website →The Focolare Movement promotes a spirituality of unity and brotherhood, with some members living in community at their centre. It's a place where people share life, work, and spiritual growth based on their charism.
Visit website →The Sanctuary is a meditation and mindfulness centre that also offers residential opportunities for individuals seeking a contemplative and community-focused lifestyle. Residents engage in practices that promote well-being and contribute to a peaceful shared environment.
Visit website →This contemplative Carmelite monastery offers a life of prayer and community for its resident nuns. While primarily for religious, it represents a distinct form of residential community focused on spiritual life.
Visit website →While technically just outside Leinster, Glenstal Abbey is a Benedictine monastery that welcomes guests for retreats and spiritual stays. It offers a peaceful environment for reflection and participation in monastic life.
Visit website →Kimmage Manor is home to the Spiritan community and offers accommodation for students and some long-term residents. It provides a quiet, reflective environment with opportunities for community engagement.
Visit website →Mount Melleray Abbey is a Cistercian monastery offering a life of prayer and work, with opportunities for guests to experience monastic living. While primarily a monastery, it provides a unique community-living option for those seeking spiritual retreat and shared contemplative life.
Visit website →While primarily a seminary, St. Patrick's College Maynooth occasionally offers accommodation for lay guests seeking a quiet, reflective stay. It provides an opportunity to experience life within a historic academic and spiritual community.
Visit website →The Franciscan Friary in Multyfarnham is a historic religious community that welcomes visitors and offers a tranquil setting for reflection and spiritual engagement. While primarily a friary, it embodies a strong sense of community and shared living for its residents.
Visit website →Dublin City Council has extensive community development programs and supports numerous community centres and initiatives across its areas. These programs aim to build strong, resilient neighbourhoods and foster social inclusion.
Visit website →Kildare County Council actively promotes community engagement through its network of libraries, arts centres, and community grants. They support local groups and initiatives that enhance social cohesion and well-being across the county.
Visit website →Monkstown is known for its active community groups, local events, and strong village feel, supported by local initiatives. The council actively promotes community engagement through various programs and facilities.
Visit website →The Liberties area has a rich history of tight-knit community, with ongoing regeneration projects focused on fostering social cohesion. It benefits from numerous community centres and local initiatives aimed at bringing residents together.
Visit website →Ballymun has a strong focus on community development and sustainability, with the Rediscovery Centre acting as a hub for local engagement. The area benefits from numerous community initiatives and a dedicated local development plan.
Visit website →Age & Opportunity supports Active Retirement Ireland groups, which, while not residential villages, create strong local communities for seniors. These groups offer social activities and support networks, fostering connection in later life.
Visit website →The other path
If your state's list is thin, that's not a dead end; it's the reason this project exists. Three friends on one street is already a community. The guide walks you through the whole path.
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