Welcome to the Benedictine Monastery
Kylemore Abbey
“You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.””
(Psalm 27,8)
The Benedictine Nuns welcome you to Kylemore Abbey, home to the Irish Dames of Ypres since 1920.
In 1920 a group of Irish Benedictine nuns arrived at Kylemore Castle, Connemara, seeking a new home for their monastic life and mission after the destruction of their home in Ypres, Belgium. For almost one hundred years now, Kylemore has been the place where the community of the “Irish Dames of Ypres” lives its life of “seeking God”, following the call of Jesus in the way laid out by St. Benedict of Nursia in his Rule for Monks written around 500 a.d.
Come and browse in the story of a group of monastic women who have been seeking God in their Benedictine community for over 300 years and are continuing this tradition into the 21st century.
News & Gospel Reflections
Events
Gospel Reflection for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
We are his people the sheep of his flock Psalm 99 In Matthew ’ s gospel today Jesus calls his twelve disciples He sends them out with certain instructions mainly…
Gospel Reflection for The Body and Blood of Christ, Year A
Praise the Lord Jerusalem Psalm 147 This Sunday is the feast of Corpus Christi when the Church reflects on and celebrates the wonderful mystery of the Eucharist From St John…
Gospel Reflection for Trinity Sunday, Year A
Glory and praise for ever Daniel Chapter 3 Periodically fans watching big sports matches in the United States see strategically positioned placards marked JOHN 3 16 This modern day form…
Piccolo Lasso Children’s Choir, Ballina and Mullingar Choristers to Perform
The Benedictines of the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception at Kylemore Abbey will be joined for the 12 15 Mass in the monastery chapel on Saturday June 6 by the…
Gospel Reflection for Pentecost, Year A
Lord send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth Psalm 103 There is great excitement in Luke ’ s account of Pentecost which we hear in the…
Gospel Reflection for the Ascension, Year A
God mounts his throne to shouts of joy a blare of trumpets for the Lord Psalm 46 The Ascension of the Lord is another milestone in the history of our…
Three Foals Born at Kylemore
As spring 2026 graced the grounds of Kylemore Abbey with colorful blossoms so the Peaceful Connemara Pony family was graced with the addition of three foals Peaceful Áras the first…
Gospel Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy Psalm 65 Jesus promises his disciples the Advocate to be with you forever that Spirit of truth whom the world…
ICon Arts at Kylemore Abbey
The Romanian Association of Music Performers UCIMR held the First Edition of the ICon Arts Ireland Academy from May 1-4 at Kylemore Abbey part of the 24th Edition of the…
We Await in Joyful Hope – Retreat for Priests in Preparation for the Advent Season
16th November 2026
– 21st November 2026
This retreat will serve to prepare priests for the upcoming Advent Season by focusing on the theme of hope as…
Female Mystics as Agents of Social Change – Silent Retreat for Women Religious
21st September 2026
– 28th September 2026
This retreat will focus on the role of several female mystics who were catalysts of social change during their lifetimes…
Monastic for a Week
24th August 2026
– 30th August 2026
Experience Benedictine life as part of a vowed women ’ s community at the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception at…
Day Retreat: Our Lady of the Rosary
10th October 2026
10:30 am
In honour of Our Lady of the Rosary join Sister Genevieve Harrington OSB for this day retreat In addition to…
Advent Retreat 2026
4th December 2026
– 6th December 2026
Come away and rest awhile as you take time to prepare the way of the Lord with an Advent retreat…
News & Gospel Reflections
Gospel Reflection for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
We are his people the sheep of his flock Psalm 99 In Matthew ’ s gospel today Jesus calls his twelve disciples He sends them out with certain instructions mainly…
Gospel Reflection for The Body and Blood of Christ, Year A
Praise the Lord Jerusalem Psalm 147 This Sunday is the feast of Corpus Christi when the Church reflects on and celebrates the wonderful mystery of the Eucharist From St John…
Gospel Reflection for Trinity Sunday, Year A
Glory and praise for ever Daniel Chapter 3 Periodically fans watching big sports matches in the United States see strategically positioned placards marked JOHN 3 16 This modern day form…
Piccolo Lasso Children’s Choir, Ballina and Mullingar Choristers to Perform
The Benedictines of the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception at Kylemore Abbey will be joined for the 12 15 Mass in the monastery chapel on Saturday June 6 by the…
Gospel Reflection for Pentecost, Year A
Lord send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth Psalm 103 There is great excitement in Luke ’ s account of Pentecost which we hear in the…
Gospel Reflection for the Ascension, Year A
God mounts his throne to shouts of joy a blare of trumpets for the Lord Psalm 46 The Ascension of the Lord is another milestone in the history of our…
Three Foals Born at Kylemore
As spring 2026 graced the grounds of Kylemore Abbey with colorful blossoms so the Peaceful Connemara Pony family was graced with the addition of three foals Peaceful Áras the first…
Gospel Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy Psalm 65 Jesus promises his disciples the Advocate to be with you forever that Spirit of truth whom the world…
ICon Arts at Kylemore Abbey
The Romanian Association of Music Performers UCIMR held the First Edition of the ICon Arts Ireland Academy from May 1-4 at Kylemore Abbey part of the 24th Edition of the…
Events
Day Retreat: Celebrating the Vigil of Pentecost
23rd May 2026
10:30 am
– 3:30 pm
Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful and instill in them the fire of your love – Novena to the Holy Spirit In addition to reflections and discussions…
Centering Prayer Introductory Retreat – FULLY BOOKED!
15th August 2025
– 17th August 2025
In 1984 a Trappist Monk Father Thomas Keating OCSO founded Contemplative Outreach an organization dedicated to sharing the fruits of contemplative prayer Centering Prayer is a method of prayer that…
Day Retreat: Saints Joachim and Anne
26th July 2025
10:30 am
– 3:30 pm
Join Sister Genevieve Harrington OSB and Father Boniface Hill OSB for this Day Retreat honouring Saints Joachim and Anne parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary In addition to reflections and…
Day Retreat: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
15th August 2026
10:30 am
– 3:30 pm
Join Sister Genevieve Harrington OSB for this Day Retreat honouring the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary In addition to reflections and discussions there will be an opportunity to join…
Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation Walk
9th July 2025
10:30 am
As part of the St Benedict Week celebration join in a Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation Walk on the Kylemore Abbey grounds The pilgrimage will begin at the monastery near…
Feast of St. Benedict
11th July 2025
12:15 pm
As part of the St. Benedict Week celebration, there will be a special Mass in the monastery church to celebrate the founder of the Benedictine Order.
The Book of Kells and the Myth of Monastic Perfection
6th July 2025
4:00 pm
As part of the St Benedict Week celebration Brother Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB a monk of Glenstal Abbey County Limerick will present this talk in the monastery ’ s Great…
Oblate Enquiry Session
12th July 2025
4:00 pm
As part of the St Benedict Week celebration Sister Clare Morley OSB will give a presentation in the monastery ’ s Great Hall on what it means to be a…
Lace Making Demonstrations
5th July 2025
– 13th July 2025
As part of the St Benedict Week celebration Mother Karol and Sister Jiby will be presenting demonstrations of the traditional art of lace making in the monastery ’ s Great…
