AXO Architects win top award as Kylemore Abbeys Benedictine Monastery, Education and Retreat Centre at Kylemore Abbey named Irelands Favourite Building in RIAI Awards 2025.

The Kylemore Trust and the Benedictine community of Kylemore Abbey are delighted to announce that the Benedictine Monastery, Education, and Retreat Centre — designed by AXO Architects of Castlebar — has been voted Ireland’s Favourite Building at the RIAI Awards 2025.

Blending traditional monastic elements with contemporary architecture, the Centre sits in harmony with the iconic Kylemore Abbey, reflecting both the heritage and evolving mission of the Benedictine community. The building thoughtfully incorporates key monastic features such as a cloister, bell tower, library, chapter room as well as public space for education and retreats — realising a century-long vision held by the Benedictine nuns.

On behalf of the Benedictine community and the board of the Kylemore Trust, Mother Karol O’ Connell, Abbess said: We extend our warm congratulations to Michael Horan and the team at AXO Architects – and to all those whose support and work of hand and heart have made this project possible.  We thank them for helping to bring our enduring vision to life.