Photograph: Mellifont Abbey
Mellifont Abbey in Collon will not close after all after the Cistercian Order confirmed it is moving its headquarters there from Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
The abbey, which has served the people of Collon for hundreds of years, will now become the long term home of the monastic community.
The Cistercians have always had their base in Collon but it had never previously served as their headquarters. The order owns extensive farmland in the area and local people regularly attend mass in the chapel at the abbey.
The move follows a formal vote by the Conventual Chapter last week and will see the community relocate from Our Lady of Silence Abbey in Roscrea.
The head of the Cistercian Order in Ireland, Dom Rufus Pound OCSO, Superior of Our Lady of Silence Abbey in Roscrea, confirmed the decision in a statement.
He said: “In January 2025, the Community of Our Lady of Silence, comprising the members of the former Cistercian Abbeys of Mount Melleray, Mount Saint Joseph, and Mellifont, made the decision to come together for an interim period at Mount Saint Joseph Abbey, Roscrea. This arrangement afforded us the necessary space and time to reflect carefully on our long term future and to engage in a prayerful process of discernment regarding a permanent home for the Community.
“Last week, following a formal vote of the Conventual Chapter, the monastic community decided to relocate to Mellifont Abbey, Co Louth, as our long term home.”
The Cistercian Order will remain patrons of their monastery in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, but it will be handed over to local people to run the college located there.
