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 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord Psalm 118 In this Gospel Jesus tells us very definitely what makes a law good before God the intention of…
Gospel Reflection for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The just man is a light in darkness to the upright Psalm 111 Today ’ s Gospel gives us the privilege of listening to Jesus teaching his disciples He begins…
Gospel Reflection for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Happy the poor in spirit the kingdom of heaven is theirs Matthew 5 3 In today ’ s Gospel Matthew recounts how Jesus imparted a key message of the New…
Passion of the Earth Artwork on Display at Monastery
St Brigid ’ s Day February 1 is a national holiday in Ireland To celebrate this patron saint the Benedictines at Kylemore Abbey are inviting all who visit the estate…
Gospel Reflection for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The Lord is my light and my help Psalm 26 This week we hear Matthew ’ s account of the beginning of Jesus ’ ministry and the call of his…
Gospel Reflection for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Here I am Lord I come to do your will Psalm 39 Today ’ s Gospel from John gives us another account of Jesus ’ baptism This is very important…
Gospel Reflection for the Baptism of the Lord
The Lord will bless his people with peace Psalm 29 Jesus ’ baptism as told by Matthew gives us an intimate exchange between two cousins John a model of humility…
Gospel Reflection for the Second Sunday of Christmas, Year A
The Word was made flesh and lived among us Psalm 147 As the Gospel of John begins so much is explained to us yet remains a mystery The concept of…
Gospel Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Family
Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways Psalm 128 Today ’ s Gospel reminds us that even when we think things are going well in…
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…
Day Retreat: Vigil of Palm Sunday
28th March 2026
10:30 am
In preparation for Palm Sunday and Holy Week join Sister Genevieve Harrington OSB for this day retreat In addition to…
Easter Triduum Retreat – FULLY BOOKED
2nd April 2026
– 5th April 2026
This retreat offers participants the opportunity to be immersed in the liturgical traditions of the Triduum – Holy Thursday Good…
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 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord Psalm 118 In this Gospel Jesus tells us very definitely what makes a law good before God the intention of…
Gospel Reflection for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The just man is a light in darkness to the upright Psalm 111 Today ’ s Gospel gives us the privilege of listening to Jesus teaching his disciples He begins…
Gospel Reflection for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Happy the poor in spirit the kingdom of heaven is theirs Matthew 5 3 In today ’ s Gospel Matthew recounts how Jesus imparted a key message of the New…
Passion of the Earth Artwork on Display at Monastery
St Brigid ’ s Day February 1 is a national holiday in Ireland To celebrate this patron saint the Benedictines at Kylemore Abbey are inviting all who visit the estate…
Gospel Reflection for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The Lord is my light and my help Psalm 26 This week we hear Matthew ’ s account of the beginning of Jesus ’ ministry and the call of his…
Gospel Reflection for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Here I am Lord I come to do your will Psalm 39 Today ’ s Gospel from John gives us another account of Jesus ’ baptism This is very important…
Gospel Reflection for the Baptism of the Lord
The Lord will bless his people with peace Psalm 29 Jesus ’ baptism as told by Matthew gives us an intimate exchange between two cousins John a model of humility…
Gospel Reflection for the Second Sunday of Christmas, Year A
The Word was made flesh and lived among us Psalm 147 As the Gospel of John begins so much is explained to us yet remains a mystery The concept of…
Gospel Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Family
Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways Psalm 128 Today ’ s Gospel reminds us that even when we think things are going well in…
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…
