RTÉ’s recent documentary, The Hills Are Alive: A Year at Kylemore Abbey, offered a rare glimpse behind the walls of one of Ireland’s most remarkable monastic communities.
Nestled in the misty Connemara landscape, the Benedictine abbey at Kylemore remains a place where silence and prayer shape daily life.
But behind that serenity lies a centuries-long story of exile, endurance and spiritual resilience, one that reached a major milestone last year with the opening of Ireland’s first purpose-built Benedictine monastery for women since the medieval era.
Kylemore is one of Ireland’s most iconic landmarks. Its dramatic facade, mirrored in the still waters of Pollacappul lake, appears on everything from postcards to social media feeds, and even features on a page of the Irish passport.
Yet the beating heart of Kylemore is somewhat less well known: a small
Continue Reading on The Irish Times
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.