This Galway monastery has been voted Ireland's favourite new building of 2025
THE BENEDICTINE MONASTERY at Kylemore Abbey in Co Galway has won the 'Public Choice' award at the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Architecture Awards.
The institute said 14,000 votes were cast in total, with the monastery emerging as the winner.
The Kylemore building was designed by Axo Architects for The Kylemore Trust. It is located on the edge of Pollacappul Lough, beneath the Duchruach Mountain and near the historic Kylemore Abbey.
There were 14,000 votes cast by the public for the award.
RIAI
RIAI
RIAI president Seán Mahon said the winning entry 'demonstrates a deep understanding of heritage, landscape, and community, creating a space that feels both grounded in tradition and relevant to the present'.
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'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,' he said.
The Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant in Co Wicklow came in second place. It was designed by Clancy Moore Architects in collaboration with Ayesa Engineers
The Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant in Co Wicklow came in second place.
RIAI
RIAI
The 12-classrooom building at Scoil Naomh Bríd Culleens, designed by SJK Architects finished in third, while the redevelopment of the Dún Laoghaire Baths in Dublin by dlr architects and A2 Architects came in fourth place.
There were 124 entries for the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards this year, with 48 projects shortlisted for the Public Choice Award.
The full list of winners across all categories will be announced at the awards tomorrow, which are taking place at the Merrion Cricket Pavilion.
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Irish Times
8 hours ago
- 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
The Journal
11 hours ago
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This Galway monastery has been voted Ireland's favourite new building of 2025
THE BENEDICTINE MONASTERY at Kylemore Abbey in Co Galway has won the 'Public Choice' award at the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Architecture Awards. The institute said 14,000 votes were cast in total, with the monastery emerging as the winner. The Kylemore building was designed by Axo Architects for The Kylemore Trust. It is located on the edge of Pollacappul Lough, beneath the Duchruach Mountain and near the historic Kylemore Abbey. There were 14,000 votes cast by the public for the award. RIAI RIAI RIAI president Seán Mahon said the winning entry 'demonstrates a deep understanding of heritage, landscape, and community, creating a space that feels both grounded in tradition and relevant to the present'. Advertisement '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,' he said. The Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant in Co Wicklow came in second place. It was designed by Clancy Moore Architects in collaboration with Ayesa Engineers The Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant in Co Wicklow came in second place. RIAI RIAI The 12-classrooom building at Scoil Naomh Bríd Culleens, designed by SJK Architects finished in third, while the redevelopment of the Dún Laoghaire Baths in Dublin by dlr architects and A2 Architects came in fourth place. There were 124 entries for the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards this year, with 48 projects shortlisted for the Public Choice Award. The full list of winners across all categories will be announced at the awards tomorrow, which are taking place at the Merrion Cricket Pavilion. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
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Cast your vote for Ireland's favourite buildings and spaces
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