In mid-17th century, as a consequence of the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, the Irish religious had to go into exile. Spain was the destination of most of them since the Monarchy had installed dowries and rents for the exiled Catholics. Thus, many nuns suffered the exile in the Spanish Kingdom and very few of them managed to go back home. They were dispersed and given hospitality by a number of convents in different Spanish cities. Although they did not face prison, the nuns had to live in exile in foreign convents where neither Irish nor English were spoken. Therefore, the suffering was more intense since not only had they been sent into exile but there was almost a lack of communication with the natives.
Prison/Exile: Controlled Spaces in Early Modern Europe 