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 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Lord let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation Psalm 84 This Gospel of Jesus walking on the storm-tossed waters of the Sea of Galilee describes those times…
Gospel Reflection for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The hand of the Lord feeds us he answers all our needs Psalm 144 Today ’ s readings describe God ’ s gracious merciful love but none more so than…
Gospel Reflection for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Lord I love your commands Psalm 118 Today ’ s Gospel continues Matthew ’ s descriptions of what the kingdom of heaven is like Jesus never says what the kingdom…
Kylemore Abbey’s Connemara Ponies Return to Áras an Uachtaráin
This summer one of Ireland ’ s best-loved native breeds will once again take up residence at Áras an Uachtaráin as Connemara mare Ruby and her foal Peaceful Pippa travel…
Gospel reflection for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
Lord you are good and forgiving Psalm 85 In today ’ s Gospel Jesus draws on his knowledge of rural and village life to illustrate his parables of the kingdom…
Gospel Reflection for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest Psalm 64 Today ’ s long Gospel from St Matthew is the parable of the sower whose seed…
English Benedictine Congregation Elects New President
The English Benedictine Congregation EBC has elected Dom Robert Igo OSB see photo right Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey as its new President during the 100th General Chapter which concluded on…
Variety of Events Scheduled for St. Benedict Week
St Benedict Week at Kylemore Abbey will feature a number of special events from July 11 to July 19 at the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception On Saturday July 11…
Gospel Reflection for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
I will praise your name forever my king and my God Psalm 144 Today ’ s Gospel consists of three different sayings of our Lord First Jesus blesses His Father…
We Await in Joyful Hope – Retreat for Priests in Preparation for the Advent Season
16th Nov 2026
– 21st Nov 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
21st Sep 2026
– 28th Sep 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 Aug 2026
– 30th Aug 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 Oct 2026
10:30 am
In honour of Our Lady of the Rosary join Sister Genevieve Harrington OSB for this day retreat In addition to…
News & Gospel Reflections
Gospel Reflection for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Lord let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation Psalm 84 This Gospel of Jesus walking on the storm-tossed waters of the Sea of Galilee describes those times…
Gospel Reflection for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The hand of the Lord feeds us he answers all our needs Psalm 144 Today ’ s readings describe God ’ s gracious merciful love but none more so than…
Gospel Reflection for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Lord I love your commands Psalm 118 Today ’ s Gospel continues Matthew ’ s descriptions of what the kingdom of heaven is like Jesus never says what the kingdom…
Kylemore Abbey’s Connemara Ponies Return to Áras an Uachtaráin
This summer one of Ireland ’ s best-loved native breeds will once again take up residence at Áras an Uachtaráin as Connemara mare Ruby and her foal Peaceful Pippa travel…
Gospel reflection for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
Lord you are good and forgiving Psalm 85 In today ’ s Gospel Jesus draws on his knowledge of rural and village life to illustrate his parables of the kingdom…
Gospel Reflection for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest Psalm 64 Today ’ s long Gospel from St Matthew is the parable of the sower whose seed…
English Benedictine Congregation Elects New President
The English Benedictine Congregation EBC has elected Dom Robert Igo OSB see photo right Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey as its new President during the 100th General Chapter which concluded on…
Variety of Events Scheduled for St. Benedict Week
St Benedict Week at Kylemore Abbey will feature a number of special events from July 11 to July 19 at the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception On Saturday July 11…
Gospel Reflection for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
I will praise your name forever my king and my God Psalm 144 Today ’ s Gospel consists of three different sayings of our Lord First Jesus blesses His Father…
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…
