Kylemore Abbey is located in one of Ireland’s most unique landscapes –- Connemara. Described by Oscar Wilde as “a savage beauty," it is a region of awe-inspiring, unspoiled and natural beauty. Its patchwork of lakes, rugged mountains, and windswept bogs certainly gives a sense of splendid isolation.

The Abbey receives around 250,000 visitors annually. The Benedictine nuns, who found God here when they came in 1920, are now planning to develop the spirituality of this wonderful place to provide an even greater profundity of spiritual joy and peace to the experience of those who visit.

In October 2012, a major program of development was launched in Ireland to strengthen and consolidate every aspect of Kylemore Abbey’s mission. New York City, a local campaign was also launched to help. 

The focus of our local campaign is to raise funds for:

     * A new Education Center which will be available for colleges both national and international as well as church groups.
     * The restoration of the Castle.
     * The new Monastic Church, enabling guests to join the nuns in prayer furthering the community’s mission of outreach.

Please go to our local website to donate or for more information, located at www.FriendsOfKylemoreAbbey.com.

Views: 573

Tags: Connacht, Connemara, Faith, Galway, Ireland, News, Preservation

Comment by Bernard Raymond O'Brien on June 25, 2013 at 11:01pm

I just hope that the Catholic Church will take a long hard look at what they are teaching.  The Church has a long way to go before those it left come back on the concerrns of their children and/or other family members who happened to be born gay.  Women's issues must be faced also.  Just because something has been done for a thousand years doesn't necessarily mean it has been correct.  Just wrong when it has been wrong.

I like so many would like to welcome the Church back into my life, but am not holding my breath.

Comment by Gerry Regan on June 27, 2013 at 1:17pm

Our support for Kylemore is not predicated on support for the hierarchical Church, Bernard. It is a literal gem in Ireland's diadem, and its grounds are stunning and historical. The good Sisters who maintain it also invest it with a keen and abiding spirituality that enriches all, whether Jew, Muslim, Christian, or atheist.

Comment by Brian Nolan on June 28, 2013 at 4:02am

Hopefully the funds raised will be used for the Abbey, and not for the benefit of the commercial entity running it now. It costs €12 per person to enter the grounds and building now....personally, thats too much to pay. The same applies to the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney castle and many other tourist 'hot spots'. I don't know many Irish families who can afford to visit their own heritage, on their own island...it's a real problem in these recessionary days. Just my own opinion...for what it's worth

Comment by Bernard Raymond O'Brien on June 29, 2013 at 4:09pm

I agree Brian.  When I was in Ireland a couple times in the 70s, there was practically no caring for and charge of admission to historical sites, ie, that I found.  But, do not over-reach on the fees.  Charge a fee so your poorest can get in.  Solicit help from multimillionaire Irish and Irish Americans to do this. 

I am proud you are doing Kylemore, but I will not forget the grevious mis-deeds of priests and nuns to our people, and believe there should  be a monument at Kylemore to acknowledge this.   We Irish must get our heads out of the sand and stand on our hind legs and rectify such horrible memories in every way we can.

Comment by Friends of Kylemore Abbey on June 30, 2013 at 5:37pm

I do have one clarification: all money raised goes towards the Abbey and the Benedictine Sisters who own and run the Abbey.100% of all money raised goes towards the building of the new Education Center, new church and castle restoration.

If you would like more information, feel free to email me at mreed@friendsofkylemoreabbey.com. I 'm always happy to answer questions.

Mary Reed

Director of Development 

Comment by Friends of Kylemore Abbey on June 30, 2013 at 5:47pm

I would like to thank those who have donated and offered to help from the Wild Geese site.Thank you so much!

Mary

www.friendsofkylemoreabbey.com

Comment by Bernard Raymond O'Brien on July 1, 2013 at 12:40pm

Center of Education?   It will be vital as to WHAT their idea of education is.   The prejudices of old must be eradicated from our Catholic Church; the people's church..

Comment by Bernard Raymond O'Brien on July 1, 2013 at 12:46pm

Gerry, please.  The words "hierarchical" and "diadem" are ok if you were talking with Yeats, Joyce or Shaw, but not just folks like most of us are.  If one can use those terms, they know how to boil them down to common every day language.  Don't be mad.  Just talk so everyone can relate to what you say and not just a few egg heads.  Thats called being educated.  You seem to have put yourself or actually are at the head of this group--the Geese.  If so, please tell us or just what your role is.  Openness is next to godliness here.  Respectfully.

Comment by Bernard Raymond O'Brien on July 1, 2013 at 12:47pm

God Bless.

Comment by Gerry Regan on July 1, 2013 at 12:53pm

Bernard, sorry.  I'm happy to elaborate. BTW, I am a co-founder of The Wild Geese, along with fellow member Joe Gannon, and direct our efforts to explore and celebrate the epic heritage of the Irish worldwide. By hierarchical, I mean the organization of the Church's leadership, the rungs of leadership, from PP (Parish Priest) to dioceses to archdiocese to the Vatican. But my opinion holds no more weight than any other member's, in my view (and hope).

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