26/03/2026
Best of Luck to Carey Building Contractors at the Irish Construction Excellence Awards.
Delighted to have been Civil & Structural Engineers on the Design team involved in delivering this project to such a high standard 👏🤞
The new Monastery at Kylemore Abbey is the first of it's kind to be built for the Benedictine Order in Ireland in over 350 years. It forms part of a wider vision to enhance sustainability, heritage and the visitor experience across the estate. The project builds on earlier works delivered by Careys including the restoration of St. Joseph's building (student and educational facility for University of Notre Dame) and the creation of new visitor facilities.
Kylemore Abbey sits within an area of exceptional environmental and heritage significance in Connemara. Careful planning, detailed site knowledge and ongoing collaboration with the Benedictine community were essential in navigating these constraints and protecting the surrounding landscape.
The monastery itself was designed not only as a contemplative home for the nuns, but as a building that integrates seamlessly within the wider environment, balancing monastic life with the steady flow of visitors to the estate, which remains an important employer and destination in the region. It also affords community spaces as accommodation for visitors on retreat.
A unique project in every sense: shaped by heritage, guided by collaboration, and grounded in its setting.
Also a project that has been listed for the public to vote for as Project of the Year in the Irish Construction Excellence Awards. You can vote here: https://shorturl.at/UjwmI
Throughout the project, close collaboration with Axo Architects and design partners such as IN2 Engineering, CHH Civil and Structural Engineers and Peter F Costello Surveyors, ensured a cohesive and cooperative approach to design and delivery.
Photo credit: Fitzpatrick Creative/Edel Fitzpatrick
