One of the country's best known Cistercian abbeys, Mount Melleray in west Waterford, is to close this weekend after almost two centuries.
Falling numbers and an ageing community is being blamed for what the Cistercian Order in Ireland says has been a very difficult decision.
Last November, the order decided to merge three abbeys, Mount Melleray, Mellifont in Louth and Mount St Joseph in Tipperary, in an effort to ensure the monks have a future in Ireland.
Since the announcement, and especially in these last few weeks, hundreds of people have been flocking to the historic abbey ahead of its closure this weekend.
Many more are hoping to attend the final mass this coming Saturday at 11am.
Across west Waterford and east Cork, there is a widespread sense of sadness.
Speaking today, Fr John Dineen, former vicar at Mount Melleray, said while it was first and foremost a monastery, it was also very much part of the wider community.
Fr Dineen said the move was about looking to the future and the continuance of Cistercian life in Ireland.
"The numbers have dwindled from what there were so hopefully, from coming together, we can keep things going for the future.
"There is no point in being nostalgic and looking back, we have to look to the future."
He said they did not know what the future held for the abbey but it could be 18 months before the order decides what will happen to the monastery and its buildings.
Among those visiting the abbey's two churches today were friends Mona Clancy and Rene Swift from Youghal in Co Cork.
Ms Swift used to regularly visit the abbey with her husband and said she "absolutely loves the place".
Like many others she is drawn to it because of the peace and serenity it offers.
She said it is extremely sad that this will be her last visit.
Her friend, Mona Clancy, said: "Melleray has always been here. I had a bad year last year and said I must take a trip up to Melleray and then I hear it is closing. It is just so sad."
As the midday bells sounded, she wondered what the local people must be thinking of hearing the bells ring.
"Imagine the local people that are used to hearing that (the bells), and they will hear them no more. I think that's sad."
Mount Melleray was founded in 1832 in west Waterford on lands gifted to the order by local landlord Richard Keane.
The monks at the time consisted of 64 Irish and English monks who had fled the motherhouse at Melleray in France because of persecution in the wake of the revolution of 1830.
The Cistercian Order, also known as the Trappists, admitted in a statement that it was a very difficult decision to leave their historic home.
"After much reflection and soul searching, we as an Order have had to make some very difficult decisions with the aim of ensuring a future for Cistercian life in Ireland," the order said in a statement.
"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.
"With effect from January 26th, three of our communities, namely, Mount Melleray, Mellifont and Mount St Joseph, which since November 3rd, the Feast of St Malachy, have already merged as one new single community, will be based, for an interim period at Roscrea.
"This new community has been given the name of The Abbey of Our Lady of Silence."
Silence is very much part of the Cistercian way of life, and after a continuous monastic presence for more than 190 years, Mount Melleray will fall silent on Sunday, 26 January.
What the future holds for Mount Mellerary, its two churches, accommodation buildings and farmland remains to be seen.