THE BENEDICTINE MONASTERY at Kylemore Abbey in Co Galway has won the ‘Public Choice’ award at the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Architecture Awards.
The institute said 14,000 votes were cast in total, with the monastery emerging as the winner.
The Kylemore building was designed by Axo Architects for The Kylemore Trust.
It is located on the edge of Pollacappul Lough, beneath the Duchruach Mountain and near the historic Kylemore Abbey.
RIAI president Seán Mahon said the winning entry “demonstrates a deep understanding of heritage, landscape, and community, creating a space that feels both grounded in tradition and relevant to the present”.
“We are thrilled to see the public recognise and celebrate architecture that enriches lives and contributes meaningfully to a much loved natural landscape and environment,” he said.