Location
Official nameO.L. of Bethlehem Abbey
Number61
Address11 Ballymena Road, Portglenone, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, Ireland
Contact Information
Telephone[44] (28) 2582 1211
Community emailinfo@bethabbey.com
Websitewww.bethlehemabbey.com
SuperiorDom Joseph Tedesco, Monastic Commisarry 2026
Other Information
Juridical statusAbbey
DioceseDioecesis Dunensis et Connorensis (Down and Connor)
OriginsFounded by Mount Melleray in 1948; Abbey in July 1951.
History
- A Georgian mansion (c. 1800) with an estate of about 150 mostly fertile arable hectares situated in Northern Ireland was purchased in 1948. Other buildings were added on prior to the construction of an entirely new monastery in the 1960s, which was necessitated by the increasing numbers joining the community. The numbers peaked around 1970.
- 1967: Opening and blessing of the new Church
- The monastery is situated in the beautiful Northern Ireland that is part of the United Kingdom. Here the centuries - old political conflict between the English and Irish - later to have a religious Catholic/Protestant dimension. Today the monastery enjoys a great harmony with all the neighbors of various religious back grounds.
Father immediateMount Melleray (until 2022); *Father Immediate *: Rep. delegated to M. Brigitte Pinot of Tautra
Lay associatesCistercian Lay Associates of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey
Past superiors
- Oliver FARRELL, Superior — 01/09/1948 – 08/07-1951, Abbot 08/07/1951-17/09/1958
- Aengus DUNPHY, Abbot — 22/10/1958 – 26/09/1977
- Celsus KELLY, Abbot — 27/09/1977 – 08/11/2019
- Celsus KELLY, Superior ad nutum — 09/11/2019 – 17/01/2024
- Aelred MAGEE, Superior ad Nutum 26/01/2024 - 16/03/2026
Work/incomeA changing economic climate has meant that the farm no longer is managed by the community. Our farm land is leased to a local farmer. Other income mainly comes from a religious shop, a printery, our Retreat House; donations from the steady stream of visitors.
Guest facilities10 rooms, all of which can be shared if necessary.
TransportationTrain or bus into nearby Ballymena Station from the airports and/or Dublin or Belfast. Airports are Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport.
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