A working Benedictine monastery in a 19th-century Norman-revival castle, where visitors walk ancient woodland avenues, join the monks' chant-filled liturgies and browse the famous gift shop.
The Front and Back avenues are open to all visitors: a wildlife sanctuary of lakes, specimen trees and flowers, with part of Ireland's primitive oak forest along the Front Avenue. Keep to signposted paths, leave flowers and fruit in place, and note that lakes are no-swim/no-fish.
Visitors are welcome at all services. Conventual Mass with Gregorian chant is at 12:10pm weekdays and 10am Sundays, with morning and evening prayer through the day (Vespers is chanted in Latin). Services are also livestreamed on the church webcam.
The guesthouse (donation about 70 euro/night) offers simple en-suite rooms with meals in the refectory; self-catering God Pods and cottages sit quietly in the grounds for longer stays. Reserve via monastery reception.
The old walled, terraced garden includes a bible garden of plants mentioned in Scripture. It sits within the wider grounds alongside the Lady Garden.
The chapel houses a notable collection of Russian and Greek Orthodox icons. Viewing is by arrangement, usually as part of a guided group visit.
Open daily 9am-5pm, with religious books and goods, recordings by the monks and the famous Glenstal Abbey Liqueur Truffles.
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