About Us

The Benedictine Nuns of Kylemore Abbey

We are a community of Benedictine nuns, women committed to witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus through the monastic life of prayer, work, and community according to the Rule of St. Benedict at Kylemore Abbey in the heart of Connemara, Co. Galway and within the Archdiocese of Tuam.

Since arriving to Kylemore on 4 December 1920, our community has been anchored in the spiritual, social, educational, and cultural life of Connemara and of Ireland through our monastic life, our mission, and our stewardship of Kylemore Estate.

Our Mission and Vision

Prayer is at the very centre of our life and lived according to the Rule of St. Benedict. As a monastic community, we live according to the Benedictine precept “Ora et Labora” – Pray and Work. In our daily work we are engaged in running the organisation and the monastery: housekeeping, gardening, liturgy, artisanal crafts (making soap, candles, chocolate), music teaching, administration, welcoming guests, contacts with visitors and supporters of the community.

Inspired by the beauty of Kylemore Abbey’s natural setting and aware of our responsibility towards God’s Creation and future generations, we commit ourselves to a focus on Integral Ecology, founded in Benedictine Spirituality. We strive to develop Kylemore Abbey and its estate in an ecologically sustainable way, enabling visitors to get deeper into touch with nature and beauty which speak to them of the loving Creator of the earth and humankind.

Recognising Kylemore Abbey as a special place of heritage, we are dedicated to sustaining the buildings and grounds and to offer the public the opportunity to visit them. All visitors are also offered the chance to come into contact with Benedictine life and to experience and take part in our liturgical prayer, by joining us for daily Mass via Webcam or in person at Kylemore’s Monastic Church (restrictions permitting).

All communities of Benedictine women are united into the International Communion of Benedictine Women (CIB) which forms a part of the Benedictine Confederation. Kylemore Abbey, autonomous until 2018, is in the process of becoming a member of the English Benedictine Congregation.

Learn about The Benedictines of Kylemore and the daily lives of the Nuns

Hospitality and labour are central to Benedictine life at Kylemore.

Since 1920 the Nuns have made Kylemore their home, learn about their Vision for the Future