News

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…

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…

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 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…

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 Community and members of the Kylemore Team will lay a wreath from the Victorian Walled Garden at the mausoleum where Margaret rests in…

This week Kylemore Abbey saw the Blessing of its twentieth Abbess, Mother Karol O’Connell OSB. Elected to the role on September 25, Mother Karol was blessed by The Archbishop of Tuam, His Grace, Francis Duffy, as part of Mass in the Monastic Church in the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception. Kylemore’s Benedictine Community were joined…

A Cork woman has become the 20th abbess to be blessed at Kylemore Abbey in Galway this week. Elected to the role on 25 September, the Archbishop of Tuam, His Grace Francis Duffy, blessed Mother Karol O’Connell OSB as part of mass in the Monastic Church in the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception at Kylemore…

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. Francis Duffy, blessed Mother Karol as part of a special Mass in the Monastic Church in the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception at Kylemore Abbey. Kylemore’s…

The recent opening of a new home for the Benedictine nuns at Kylemore in the remote west of Ireland, offers a rare instance of hope for those saddened at the general trend of convent closures that has been a feature for decades in Ireland. Kylemore Abbey, located in Connemara on the so-called Wild Atlantic Way…