Valerie takes a look inside Glenstal Abbey as part of unique new book

A NEW book detailing life within Glenstal Abbey in County Limerick isn’t short of Kerry connections – not least through its photographs, captured by the acclaimed Valerie O’Sullivan.

‘Glenstal Abbey: Through the Seasons’ chronicles the lives of the Monks of Glenstal Abbey, with Ms O’Sullivan’s unique photography bringing the stories from within the abbey to life in this Columba Books production.

Ms O’Sullivan explained to The Kerryman that she took the photographs at various points between September, 2018, and the summer just gone – effectively detailing life in the abbey over four seasons.

“It was a fabulous experience,” she said of her time working on the book. “I was able to capture the abbey at various stages and at various liturgies during that time.

“I think it was particularly nice to capture something that most people wouldn’t normally get the chance to see,” she added.

Ms O’Sullivan explained that many of the personalities at the abbey also have links to Kerry.

“Brother Pádraig, from Kenmare, was Director of Diocesan Music in Kerry before entering as a monk in Glenstal Abbey,” she said. “Br Colmán spent a number of years in the Francisan Friary in Killarney, and Fr Cuthbert worked in the Dunloe Hotel as Hotel Manager.”

She added that Daniel O’Mahony, from Rathmore, is a pupil at the abbey.

Among the most striking sections of the book is its detailing of the abbey’s terraced gardens, which date back to the late 17th century and are now home to several Giant Redwoods and some sheep who keep the orchard grass nice and short.

The oldest ordained Monk in the world, Fr Placid, who has spent more than 80 years in Monastic life, is also subject to the book’s detailing, as are the priceless icons locked away in a vault-like Chapel under the Monastery.

Also here are Br Emmaus’ nude paintings, which adorn the monastery’s library wall.

The book, priced at €24.99, is available to purchase at the Columba Books website at www.columbabooks.com.

Further information is available from Ms O’Sullivan, who can be contacted at (087) 2629375 or through valerieosullivanf8@ gmail.com.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan Glenstal Abbey Schola rehearsing for the Easter Triduum: Br Padraig, Fr Cuthbert, Fr Senan and Br Jarek.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan Br Colmán O Clabaigh OSB is a Benedictine monk from Glenstal Abbey and noted historian and author of numerous books on monastic history. He is a medievalist, specializing in the history of monasticism and religion in Late Medieval Ireland.

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Caolan Dooley, left, and Daniel O’Mahony playingGaelicFootballatGlenstalAbbey