The community has its origins in a Charismatic Prayer Group which began in Dundalk, in 1974. Sr. Briege Murphy, a mercy sister based in Dundalk began with a small group of second level students. The prayer group expanded and a leadership team emerged to co-ordinate the activities of the weekly prayer meeting.

Sr. Briege was released by her Mercy Order to open a house of prayer in St. Mary’s Road with the generous help of the Marist Fathers and that became the home of the community for three years. It proved too small for the burgeoning activities with which the community became involved and they moved to the former Mercy orphanage in Castle St.

As the community became established it became obvious that its character was lay and that its spirituality should reflect this dominant feature. Statutes were written to seek approval from the Bishop to be recognised as a Private Association of the Church and these were duly granted in 1992 by Cardinal Daly. In 1995, the community was also granted Council membership of the Catholic Fraternity. This is an international association of communities from every continent, all of whom are formally recognised by their Bishop and by the Pontifical council for the Laity.

In 2000, the Community moved its headquarters to The Oratory. The Oratory was officially blessed and opened by Archbishop Sean Brady on June 8th 2000 and he entrusted the Oratory and its ministry to the Community. It is highly significant in the context of the Irish Church that a public Oratory, with the Blessed sacrament present, is entrusted to a lay community.
The current leader of the community is Teddy Lambe.

OPENING HOURS: MON-SAT 10.00am-5.00pm.
The oratory is a quiet place of prayer and reflection and most of the day is given over to silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. However, there are a number of regular services as listed below. 
Morning Prayer of the Church at 11 am each morning.

A weekly mass on Monday at 12.45pm.
In addition there is a weekly prayer meeting in the Oratory at 7.30pm on Thursday evenings (except for the Thursday after the first Friday of each month)

SOS Prayer. A brother or Sister listens and prays with you for your intentions. Phone 042- 9339888.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Director:
Teddy Lambe, The Oratory, Carroll's Village, Dundalk, Co Louth. Tel (042) 933 5566, Fax (042) 933 5566.

Northern Representatives:
Brendan Conway, 98 Church St, Cookstown, (028) 8867 6418;
Roisín & Raymond Glackin, 8 Springfield Park, Mullaghmore, Dungannon, (028) 8772 4603.