The tough decision comes after “much reflection and soul searching” and as part of consolidation efforts to ensure a future for Cistercian life in Ireland.
“We have been confronted with these difficult decisions as we address the reality of falling numbers and ageing communities; issues which other similar communities are also addressing at this time,” says Dom Rufus Pound, Superior ad nutum at the Abbey of Our Lady of Silence, where the monks from the three closing abbeys will coalesce for the time being.
Noting that the decision comes after “much reflection and soul searching as an order”, Fr Rufus explains:
“We will be continuing our presence in Ireland into the future, but to achieve this, regretfully, we must consolidate in accordance with the restrictions of our present resources.”
Regarding the future of Mount Melleray, in County Waterford, and the other vacated abbeys, Fr Rufus said: “No final decisions have been taken at this stage regarding any of the properties, which may be vacated in the near future, however as decisions are made further announcements will be forthcoming.
“This is a difficult time for all the members of our new Community as we strive to meet the challenge of our present day realities. It is especially difficult for those who have spent their entire lives in a specific monastery and must now adjust to these changed circumstances.”
The order have decided that with effect from 26 January 2025 three of their communities – Mount Melleray, Mellifont and Mount St Joseph (both of which since 3 November, the Feast of St Malachy, have already merged as one new single community) – will be based temporarily at Roscrea in County Tipperary.
This new community has been given the name of “The Abbey of Our Lady of Silence” as part of the interim measures. The order’s Abbeys at Moone (Co. Kildare) and at Portglenone (Co. Antrim) will not be affected by this decision and will continue as autonomous communities.
“Our new community of Our Lady of Silence currently consists of 26 members, three of whom are novices, and already interest has been expressed from others wishing to join us,” Fr Rufus says.
“We are optimistic that this now has the potential to become a vibrant community wherever we finally decide that it will be located.
“We will now take time to consider how this new community will develop and where it will ultimately reside on a permanent basis. In the context of our decision we must rationalise our use of the three properties formerly associated with the three pre-existing communities, in line with our present day needs and resources.”
The Cistercians were first established in Ireland in 1142, initially at Mellifont Abbey through the efforts of St Malachy.
Mount Mellaray was founded on 30 May 1832 at Scrahan, Cappoquin, by a colony of Irish and English monks that had been expelled from the abbey of Melleray after the French Revolution of 1830, and who came to Ireland under the leadership of Fr Vincent de Paul Ryan.
In 1833, on the feast of St Bernard, the foundation stone of the new monastery was blessed by the bishop of Waterford and Lismore.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, some of whom have been with us and supported us for decades, and the many other loyal volunteers and friends who will be affected by these developments,” Fr Rufus says.
“None of the previous three abbeys would have survived over the centuries without the support and friendship of those in the locality, but also many others associated with them in different ways.
“We recognise and acknowledge the often profound attachment all these have towards our monasteries and we deeply regret that we will not be able to maintain our presence at all three locations, as we embark on this new beginning.
“Our gratitude and prayers will continue to be with those who have shared our journey in so many rich and varied ways here in Ireland over the years.”