The Poor Clares are enclosed contemplative community whose monastery is based in Nuns' Island, Galway. The Poor Clares take vows of Chastity, Poverty, Obedience and Enclosure and their day centres on the Eucharist. Prayer is the golden thread which permeates and sanctifies the activities of the entire day.
St Clare of Assisi is their foundress, the first female follower of St Francis of Assisi who, in an effort to embrace the true crucified Christ appealed to the Pope to the privilege of poverty. She was also the first woman in the church to write the Rule of Life for religious women. Her Form of Life which reflected the Franciscan ideal was approved two days before her death.