Latest news with #MichaelHoran
Irish Independent
19-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Mayo architects who designed new €10m Kylemore Abbey monastery win major award
Axo Architects, who designed the €10 million Benedictine Monastery at Kylemore Abbey, came ahead of 47 other designs to win the much sought-after award. Located by Pollacappul Lough, beneath Duchruach Mountain and near the historic Kylemore Abbey in west Connemera, County Galway, the new monastery evolves from a central garth and cloister, unfolding into a series of brick volumes of varying height and scale. 'The result is a serene and timeless structure that quietly complements its landscape through sensitive consideration of context, scale, materiality, and visual harmony,' read a citation from the RIAI. Headed by Westport native Michael Horan, Axo Architects also designed the Kylemore Interpretation project, which was constructed by Galway-based firm, Carey Building Contractors. This saw the interior of the abbey redesigned and landscaping works undertaken outside building to enhance the visitor experience. 'We wanted the building, when we designed it, to be understated, to takes its rightful place in the estate but without dominating and without wanting to be brash,' Mr Horan told the Irish Independent shortly after the monastery was named winner of the RIAI Public Choice Award. A community of 15 Benedictine nuns moved into the new monastery at Kylemore Abbey last year, more than 350 years after their order was founded in the Belgium town of Ypres, where the nuns were known as 'the Irish Dames'. Today, Kylemore Abbey is one of the top visitor attractions in Connemara. Located 15.5 kilometres from Leenane in County Mayo, the abbey draws an estimated 500,000 visitors to the region annually and employs up to 150 people at the peak of the tourist season. Built as a castle in 1871 by English industrialist and MP for County Galway, Mitchell Henry, the Benedictine nuns moved into the building in 1920 after fleeing from Belgium to Connemara during the First World War. Three years later, they founded the renowned Kylemore Abbey all-girls boarding school, which closed in 2010. Their new home, which is one of the only working monasteries left in the country, was designed to keep the nuns at the centre of Kylemore Abbey while affording them privacy and silence. Previous the nuns lived in a farmhouse where the nuns were 'living on top of each other' and unable to have processions. Their new monastery was officially opened and blessed last year by Archbishop Francis Duffy, who described it as 'very rare event in Ireland and perhaps in western Europe'. The monastery was built with the same type of pale-coloured bricks used to construct the mausoleum at Kylemore. It is the final resting place of Mitchell Henry's wife, Margaret, who died on a family holiday to Egypt in 1874. Describing the RIAI Public Choice Award as a 'huge' achievement, Michael Horan thanked all those who voted for the new monastery and all his staff, both past and present, for their work on the project. The Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant finished in second place in the RIAI Public Choice Awards, which saw approximately 14,000 votes cast by the public. The 12-classroom building at Scoil Naomh Bríd in Culleens, Ballina, designed by Simon J Kelly Architects, secured third place while the Dún Laoghaire Baths finished fourth. RIAI President, Seán Mahon FRIAI, said: 'This year's Public Choice Award winner is a remarkable example of how thoughtful, context-sensitive architecture can enhance both place and purpose. The new monastery at Kylemore Abbey demonstrates a deep understanding of heritage, landscape, and community, creating a space that feels both grounded in tradition and relevant to the present. We are thrilled to see the public recognise and celebrate architecture that enriches lives and contributes meaningfully to a much-loved natural landscape and environment.' This year, the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards received 124 entries, with 48 projects shortlisted for the Public Choice Award — 21 from Dublin, 20 from regional Ireland, and six international projects by Irish architects. The RIAI Irish Architecture Awards will take place tomorrow evening at the Merrion Cricket Pavilion – itself an award-winning building by TAKA Architects – where the full list of winners across all categories will be announced.
Irish Times
18-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Benedictine monastery at Kylemore Abbey voted Ireland's favourite building at RIAI awards
The Benedictine monastery at Kylemore Abbey in Connemara , Co Galway , has been voted as Ireland's favourite building as part of this year's Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) awards. The monastery, designed by Mayo -based architect Michael Horan of Axo Architects, topped the ballot in the public choice category, for which 14,000 votes were cast. The monastery ' is a remarkable example of how thoughtful, context-sensitive architecture can enhance both place and purpose', said RIAI president Seán Mahon. '[It] demonstrates a deep understanding of heritage, landscape, and community, creating a space that feels both grounded in tradition and relevant to the present. READ MORE Benedictine Monastery at Kylemore Abbey. Photograph: Peter Molloy Benedictine Monastery at Kylemore Abbey. Photograph: Peter Molloy Benedictine Monastery at Kylemore Abbey. Photograph: Peter Molloy 'We are thrilled to see the public recognise and celebrate architecture that enriches lives and contributes meaningfully to a much loved natural landscape and environment.' On the edge of Pollacappul Lough, beneath the Duchruach Mountain and close to Kylemore Abbey, the new monastery 'harmoniously integrates with its dramatic surroundings', the RIAI said. 'Drawing on monastic traditions, the design evolves from a central garth and cloister, unfolding into a series of brick volumes of varying height and scale. The result is a serene and timeless structure that quietly complements its landscape through sensitive consideration of context, scale, materiality and visual harmony.' The monastery took first place out of 48 shortlisted projects with the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant in Co Wicklow by Clancy Moore Architects in collaboration with Ayesha Engineers coming second. Scoil Naomh Bríd in Culleens, Ballina, Co Mayo, by SJK Architects took third place. The Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant is described by the RIAI as 'a pioneering piece of civic infrastructure that embodies public good', while it says the 12-classroom building at Scoil Naomh Bríd is 'filled with daylight, delight, colour and joy'. The redevelopment of the Dún Laoghaire Baths in south Co Dublin by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council architects and A2 Architects, which opened up a 400m stretch of coastline, came in fourth. The RIAI's awards ceremony will take place on Thursday evening at the Merrion Cricket Pavilion on Anglesea Road, Dublin 4, where the full list of winners from all categories will be announced. Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant Scoil Naomh Bríd, Culleens Scoil Naomh Bríd, Culleens Scoil Naomh Bríd, Culleens Scoil Naomh Bríd, Culleens
Irish Independent
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Pics show Cork pupils leaving MEP Seán Kelly deeply impressed at their EU ‘Blue Star' achievement
The event marked the culmination of a year-long project that saw pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class explore the rich historical, cultural, and geographical heritage of the European Union. Principal Michael Horan welcomed Mr. Kelly, and commended the work of students and staff, particularly 5th and 6th classes and their teacher Kathryn Fahy, who led the project and encouraged their fellow students to learn more about Europe. Every child at St. Brendan's played their part, from learning about EU member states to creating colourful artwork, posters, classroom displays and signs reading 'hello' and 'welcome' in 27 different EU languages. Mr. Kelly was also treated to a rousing performance of Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' – the European Anthem – arranged and performed by senior pupils on tin whistles, fiddles, banjo, and cello, capturing both the musical talents of the school and the joyful spirit of European unity. In his address, Mr. Kelly spoke about the role of the European Parliament and how EU decisions affect daily life in Ireland. He encouraged students to value democracy, cooperation, and peace, highlighting how their learning connects them to a wider European community. Environmental awareness was a key theme of his visit. 'You are lucky to live in an area rich in biodiversity,' he told the children. 'Every action you take to protect the planet matters, whether it's recycling, saving the bees, or reducing emissions.' Members of the Rathcoole Green School Committee were delighted to share the school's long-standing commitment to environmental issues, and showed the MEP their six Green Flags, and newly installed solar panels. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Mr. Kelly also addressed the importance of mental health in an age of social media. He commended the school for fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment and emphasised the value of kindness, mindfulness, and open conversations. Wellbeing Committee pupils were very proud to display their Amber Flag, recently awarded to St. Brendan's NS for promoting wellbeing and mental health within the school community. Seán Kelly made sure to take time to speak with all the students, admire their projects, and answer their questions - ranging from his favourite of the GAA codes (hurling), to whether he was putting his name forward for the Presidential elections. Although he dodged that one, students remain hopeful for a future school trip to Áras an Uachtaráin! Before bidding St. Brendan's farewell, Mr. Kelly praised the school's positive atmosphere and commitment to excellence. His visit was a proud moment for the Rathcoole community, recognising both the students' hard work and their growing connection to European and Global Citizenship.
