Karol O'Connell OSB has been elected the twentieth Abbess of Kylemore Abbey on September 25, 2024

Karol O’Connell OSB has been elected the twentieth Abbess of Kylemore Abbey on September 25, 2024. Abbess Karol begins immediately her twelve-year term of office as leader of the monastic community of fifteen Benedictine nuns in Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, Co. Galway.

Raised in Midleton, Co. Cork and educated by the Presentation sisters, she studied music in the Liszt Academy, Hungary. She has over forty years’ experience of teaching in the classroom. She gives regular courses for teachers on the Kodaly concept of music education and has written eight books on music literacy based on the Kodaly concept.

Sr. Karol entered the monastery in 1978 on the Feast of Saint Benedict, July 11th. She has been community organist, choir mistress, cook, gardener and artist as well as holding the office of Prioress for 16 years.

Abbess Karol’s Abbatial Blessing will take place on November 5th 2024 in the Monastic Church of Kylemore Abbey.