Mount St. Joesph’s Abbey is a Cistercian Abbey and boarding school located approximately 2 miles from the town of Roscrea. The abbey was founded in 1878 with the boarding school coming later in 1905. As well as the abbey and boarding school, there is a dairy farm, guesthouse and golf course. In total, the estate is about 500 acres.
I’ve been going to the monastery since I was small but this week was my first visit in a number of years. I couldn’t believe how well the place looked! It’s exceptionally well kept and so peaceful. I walked through the wooded area, down by the golf course and waterfalls and back to the abbey.
When I was young, my favourite thing was to get some of the bread that was made by the monks, Brs. John and Oliver. In 1891, A.M. Perkins & Son Ltd installed a turf fired Patent Steam oven to the monastery. Up to a few years ago, the monks still baked bread in the oven daily. Unfortunately, they have ceased but as a child I loved to get their bread.
The waterfalls
Look at how green the grass is on the golf course!
You can pray in the church and mass is said there daily.
The building is made of local grey limestone and follows a traditional monastic plan.
The school.
This is a great place to go if you just want some quiet time to reflect. It’s extremely peaceful and scenic.
