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, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own Psalm 32 In Matthew ’ s Gospel today we meet the post-Resurrection triumphant Jesus He has now returned to…

Gospel Reflection for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.
Happy are those who hope in the Lord Psalm 39 5 In the Beatitudes we read today Jesus addresses his disciples specifically quite distinctly from the Twelve and…

Kylemore Abbey Blesses its Twentieth Abbess, Mother Karol OConnell OSB.
Yesterday November 5th Kylemore Abbey saw the Blessing of its twentieth Abbess Mother Karol O Connell OSB Elected to the role on September 25th 2024 The Archbishop of Tuam Fr…

Commemorating 150 Years Since the Passing of Margaret Henry, the inspiration behind the construction of Kylemore Abbey.
December 4 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the untimely passing of Margaret Henry the woman in whose honour Kylemore Castle and Estate were built To commemorate this significant occasion…

Contemplative Photography Retreat
24th May
10:00 am
– 3:00 pm
With modern mobile phones able to take photos anyone can snap pictures anywhere What though do we see in those photos This retreat will offer participants an opportunity to…

Day Retreat: Living in the Spirit to Celebrate the Vigil of Pentecost
7th June
10:30 am
– 3:30 pm
Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful and instill in them the fire of your love In addition to reflections and discussions on welcoming the Holy Spirit…

Residential Retreat: Discernment Retreat
20th June
– 22nd June
What lies ahead on the road of my life How can I share my gifts with others in meaningful ways Where is God calling me to serve …
News & Gospel Reflections


Gospel Reflection, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Happy the people the Lord has chosen as his own Psalm 32 In Matthew ’ s Gospel today we meet the post-Resurrection triumphant Jesus He has now returned to…


Gospel Reflection for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.
Happy are those who hope in the Lord Psalm 39 5 In the Beatitudes we read today Jesus addresses his disciples specifically quite distinctly from the Twelve and…


Kylemore Abbey Blesses its Twentieth Abbess, Mother Karol OConnell OSB.
Yesterday November 5th Kylemore Abbey saw the Blessing of its twentieth Abbess Mother Karol O Connell OSB Elected to the role on September 25th 2024 The Archbishop of Tuam Fr…


Commemorating 150 Years Since the Passing of Margaret Henry, the inspiration behind the construction of Kylemore Abbey.
December 4 2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the untimely passing of Margaret Henry the woman in whose honour Kylemore Castle and Estate were built To commemorate this significant occasion…


The Benedictine nuns of Kylemore Abbey and Celebrated Composer Patrick Cassidy Unveil The Kylemore Magnificat
The Benedictine nuns of Kylemore Abbey are pleased to share the release of “ The Kylemore Magnificat ” a new and evocative setting of the Magnificat commissioned by the nuns…


Gospel reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C.
In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises Lord Psalm 137 Today ’ s readings are centered around a divine Call The prophet Isaiah received such…


Headford Lace Project at Kylemore Abbey
Members of Headford Lace Project were delighted to accept an invitation from Abbess Karol O Connell and the Benedictine sisters to participate in a day of craft at Kylemore Abbey…


Sr. Maire Hickey OSB
It is with great sadness that the monastic community announces the death of Sr Maire Hickey OSB Former Abbess of the Benedictine communities of Kylemore Abbey and of…


Gospel Reflection for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.
Lord it is good to give thanks to you Thegospel today can be summed up as Jesus ’ teaching his disciples topractise religion in sincerity of…
Events


Contemplative Photography Retreat
24th May
10:00 am
– 3:00 pm
With modern mobile phones able to take photos anyone can snap pictures anywhere What though do we see in those photos This retreat will offer participants an opportunity to…


Day Retreat: Living in the Spirit to Celebrate the Vigil of Pentecost
7th June
10:30 am
– 3:30 pm
Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful and instill in them the fire of your love In addition to reflections and discussions on welcoming the Holy Spirit…


Residential Retreat: Discernment Retreat
20th June
– 22nd June
What lies ahead on the road of my life How can I share my gifts with others in meaningful ways Where is God calling me to serve …