News
English Benedictine Congregation Bursars Gather at Kylemore
11 Jun 2025
While it might seem that Benedictines – monks and nuns – live apart from the world, there remain quite a few practical considerations that must be handled on a daily basis. The monastic “bursar” is one who handles these practical matters: paying bills, and so forth. This week, the bursars from a number of Benedictine…
Members of French Sénat Visit with Benedictines
10 Jun 2025
On Saturday, June 7, three members of the French Sénat visited Kylemore Abbey, spending time in conversation with Sister Marie Benoit – from one of their constituencies – and Mother Karol, along with touring the estate. The senators were unable to give Mother Karol a commemorative medallion of the French Sénat with onsite, but she…
Ukranian Visitors at the Monastery
7 Jun 2025
On May 20, the Benedictine community was graced with a visit from Mother Klara, abbess of the Benedictines at Zhytomyr Abbey, Ukraine, and her brother, Father Benedict, a Franciscan – along with Father Jarek Kurek, a Benedictine monk. They had an opportunity to meet with the Ukrainian employees who serve with such dedication as part…
Sister Genevieve on the Radio
5 Jun 2025
On Thursday, June 5, Sister Genevieve Harrington was interviewed by host John Staunton on Connemara Community Radio (87.8 FM and 106.1 FM) about upcoming retreats being offered by the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception at Kylemore Abbey, including Day Retreats and a weekend Discernment Retreat, along with special events planned for St. Benedict’s Week –…
Choirs from the U.S. sing in monastery chapel
5 Jun 2025
Beautiful music wafting forth from a monastery chapel is quite traditional, but the voices of the University of Southern Indiana Chamber Choir delighted all those who could hear them within the chapel and beyond the walls on Friday, May 30, as they sang an assortment of sacred, folk and Irish music during their concert, directed…
As Pope Francis battled against ill health this week, the Catholic community in Ireland lost two great leaders
25 Mar 2025
As the eyes of the world lay on Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where Pope Francis was seriously ill last week, two significant Irish religious figures slipped quietly away to their eternal reward. Bishop emeritus Willie Walsh of Killaloe died in his own home, while Sr Máire Hickey, Abbess Emeritus of Kylemore, died in the loving…
Sr. Maire Hickey OSB
24 Feb 2025
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 Abtei St. Scholastika, Dinklage, Germany and late of Clontarf, Dublin. February 23rd 2025, Sr. Maire passed peacefully at the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception, Kylemore Abbey in…
Headford Lace Project at Kylemore Abbey
12 Feb 2025
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 on St. Brigid’s Day, Feb 1, 2025. In celebration of the feast day traditional rush crosses were woven and lace was made. The crosses were presented…
The Benedictine nuns of Kylemore Abbey and Celebrated Composer Patrick Cassidy Unveil The Kylemore Magnificat
5 Dec 2024
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 from internationally renowned, Irish composer, Patrick Cassidy. This remarkable work was commissioned by the Benedictine Community as an expression of gratitude for the support of friends and…