The New York Carmelites and the Irish Freedom Movement

Abstract

The Carmelite of the Irish Province staffed Our Lady of the Scapular, Manhattan; Transfiguration, Tarrytown; Our Lady of Mount  Carmel, Middletown; Saint Albert’s, Middletown; Saint Simon Stock, the Bronx. These were made into a commissariat in 1922. They  were involved in the Irish Freedom Movement (1916-25) in varying degrees in these foundations. Our Lady of the Scapular under the  pastorate of Denis O’Connor, O. Carm., was in the forefront of this movement for the independence of Ireland. This Carmelite facility  became a center of Irish cultural activities in New York City. Funds were gathered and sent to Ireland where they were used at times  for the purchase of arms. The priory was a safe house and a place where messages could be exchanged. Some Carmelites were  message carriers to and from New York. When in America, Peter Elias Magennis was involved in these activities.