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 Third Sunday of Easter, Year A
Lord you will show us the path of life Psalm 15 There is so much to reflect upon in the Emmaus story it is difficult to know where to begin…
Gospel Reflection Second Sunday of Easter, Year A
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good his love is everlasting Psalm 117 After the highs and excitement of finding the empty tomb and shining angels asking the…
Gospel Reflection for Easter Sunday, Year A
This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad Psalm 117 We are most familiar with John ’ s vivid account of Easter morning because…
A Meditation on Mary – for Holy Saturday
Shared by Josephine Bennett The woman sits on the side of the bed the room is dark and her form is yet darker She doesn t move she cannot her…
Chilean Artist’s Painting Inspired by Kylemore Magnificat
A new work of art by Chilean painter Giovanni Gellona depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary in prayer and is titled Santa Maria de Kylemore as it was inspired by Patrick…
Gospel Reflection for Passion (Palm) Sunday, Year A
This Sunday begins Holy Week when we commemorate and re-live Jesus ’ sacrificial death Having lived among us as fully human he gave himself so we might share his eternal…
Hungarian Team Presents Kodály Method at Monastery
On Friday April 10 dozens of students and instructors graced Ostyn Hall at the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception presenting the Kodály Method of music instruction A partnership that was…
Triduum Liturgies at Monastery of the Immaculate Conception
All are welcome to join the Benedictine community for these liturgies commemorating the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection!
Gospel Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A
With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption Psalm 129 Jesus ’ raising of Lazarus from the dead is the last and definitive sign he gives us of…
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…
Centering Prayer Day Retreat
13th June 2026
10:30 am
In 1984 a Trappist Monk Fr Thomas Keating OCSO founded Contemplative Outreach an organization dedicated to sharing the fruits of…
Centering Prayer Day Retreat
25th April 2026
10:30 am
In 1984 a Trappist Monk Fr Thomas Keating OCSO founded Contemplative Outreach an organization dedicated to sharing the fruits of…
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…
Monastic for a Week
1st June 2026
– 7th June 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…
Day Retreat: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
15th August 2026
10:30 am
Join Sister Genevieve Harrington OSB for this Day Retreat honouring the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary In addition to…
News & Gospel Reflections
Gospel Reflection for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year A
Lord you will show us the path of life Psalm 15 There is so much to reflect upon in the Emmaus story it is difficult to know where to begin…
Gospel Reflection Second Sunday of Easter, Year A
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good his love is everlasting Psalm 117 After the highs and excitement of finding the empty tomb and shining angels asking the…
Gospel Reflection for Easter Sunday, Year A
This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad Psalm 117 We are most familiar with John ’ s vivid account of Easter morning because…
A Meditation on Mary – for Holy Saturday
Shared by Josephine Bennett The woman sits on the side of the bed the room is dark and her form is yet darker She doesn t move she cannot her…
Chilean Artist’s Painting Inspired by Kylemore Magnificat
A new work of art by Chilean painter Giovanni Gellona depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary in prayer and is titled Santa Maria de Kylemore as it was inspired by Patrick…
Gospel Reflection for Passion (Palm) Sunday, Year A
This Sunday begins Holy Week when we commemorate and re-live Jesus ’ sacrificial death Having lived among us as fully human he gave himself so we might share his eternal…
Hungarian Team Presents Kodály Method at Monastery
On Friday April 10 dozens of students and instructors graced Ostyn Hall at the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception presenting the Kodály Method of music instruction A partnership that was…
Triduum Liturgies at Monastery of the Immaculate Conception
All are welcome to join the Benedictine community for these liturgies commemorating the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection!
Gospel Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A
With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption Psalm 129 Jesus ’ raising of Lazarus from the dead is the last and definitive sign he gives us of…
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…
