GLENSTAL CASTLE and ABBEY
Gleann Stail, Glen of the Stallion
Murroe, County Limerick

Glenstal Castle was designed by William Bardwell and built by Sir Matthew Barrington in 1839. The Barrington's built Barrington Hospital in Limerick, Barrington Bridge and Glenstal Castle, which took five years to complete.

The castle is of romantic Normal Revivalist Style, with traditional drum towers and high bawn walls.

The castle remained in the Barrington family until it was sold in 1927 to an order of Benedictine monks from the Maredsous Abbey in Belgium.

It wasn't until 1932 that a prestigious secondary school was established in the castle. In the first year there were only seven students. Today there are more than 200 students whose ages range from 13 to 18.

The monastery was founded in 1957 and dedicated to saints Joseph and Columba. The monastery is home to around 50 monks who dedicate their lives to a number of projects at Glenstal, including managing the boarding school for boys, running a guest house for group retreats, and a farm.

There are three long standing programs that the Glenstal monks operate --

Environmental Protection
This program focus's on four main subjects --

a) the restoration and maintenance of the 17th century walled garden
b) the study of post glacial forests and their preservation
c) the extension of the local oak forest
d) the participation of the "in situ" conifer preservation program in conjunction with the National Botanic Garden in Edinburgh Scotland

Gregorian Chant music
The Glenstal Monks made a big splash in the early 1980s when their Gregorian chant music hit the top 40 charts around the world. These recordings were inspired by the monks singing their prayers in the church, which can be enjoyed today at mass times.

Going Green
Glenstal Abbey and School are going green. The main project has been their wetlands waste management system. The school and abbey have also undertaken and effort to make the site more energy efficient.

Today there are 500 acres of woodland paths, lakes and streams to visit. Wild rhododendrons make a colorful splash amongst the green foliage in early summer and woodland species cause a riot of fiery colors in the autumn. The property attracts innumerable species of wildlife. This is a nature lovers, and a photographers, paradise no matter the season.

The monks assemble in church five times a day for the Divine Office and the Mass. Visitors are very welcome to attend. The church is a modern structure situated within the castle walls just past the shop. Parking is available both outside the castle gates and within at the church. Visitors will be delighted to hear the Glenstal monks singing their prayers, which is what brought the abbey to light in the 1980s with their Gregorian chant music, as above. Visit the tiny shop, which sells all manner of ecclesiastical items from rosaries, candles, mass cards, medallions, and of course copies of CDs and DVDs of Gregorian chants. The shop is run by the monks who may bless your medallions and rosaries.

~ Free attraction
~ Free parking available
~ Easy access around abbey, moderate access on unpaved paths

http://www.glenstal.org (monastery)
http://www.glenstal.ie (school)