STAY AT GLENSTAL

Guesthouse, God Pods & Cottages

GUESTHOUSE

The tradition of people taking some quiet time apart to reflect, relax and pray while staying in a monastery guest house is as old as monastic life itself. A monastery guesthouse is not a retreat house in the strict sense but rather a place where a guest, while staying, shares in the rhythm of the monastery itself. We invite guests to take part in monk’s prayer times and observe the meal, work, silent and reflective times. The monastery at Glenstal has a comfortable, purpose-built guesthouse for accommodating such guests.  It is a safe and confidential space respecting your life’s journey. A member of the monastic community is appointed as Guest master and will help take care of you for the duration of your stay.

To reserve a room in the Monastery Guesthouse, please email guestmaster@glenstal.com  or call 061 621005.

Check-in is at Monastery Reception between 2 – 4 pm as there is no direct access to the Guesthouse. If arriving out of hours, collection of one’s key must be arranged in advance. Check-out is before 10.30 am.

The Guesthouse is located separately in a quiet area of the grounds with car parking available.  There are bedrooms on two floors, a sitting room, a small meeting room, a dining room and a small kitchen for your use during the day.

There are 12 en-suite rooms (ten single and two twin rooms) with private bathrooms. The rooms are modestly and simply furnished with bed linen and towels provided.

All meals are provided during your stay. Breakfast is self-service in the Guesthouse, where the guest master’s nourishing porridge is well known. Lunch is in the guest parlour at Monastery Reception, and supper is, on most occasions, in the Monastery Refectory with the monks. Supper is a silent meal with reading or music. 

We provide wholesome home-cooked meals.

While Wi-Fi is available in the Guesthouse, many guests take the opportunity to ‘switch off’.  We ask guests to keep the use of all electronic devices to a minimum and as non-intrusive on other guests as possible.

There is no ‘rate’ per se to stay at the Guesthouse.  Instead, guests chose to make a donation to go towards the cost of providing accommodation, meals, cleaning and upkeep of the Guesthouse, as well as the general care and maintenance of the Abbey. Only you can put a value on how your stay has been. People’s donations vary according to their means, but people typically donate €80+ per night.

Donations can be made by cash, cheque (payable to Glenstal Abbey Operations) or credit/visa card at monastery reception.

For further information email guestmaster@glenstal.com or call 061 621005

Give the Gift of Glenstal

If you would like to give the gift of a stay at the Abbey Guest House, Gift Vouchers are available at Monastery Reception. 

Please email guestmaster@glenstal.com  or call 061 621005 for more details.

God Pods

There are two God Pods located on the Abbey grounds, nestled in a quiet secluded setting surrounded by nature. They offer a solitary space to encounter self, a unique place for you to pray, slow down and refresh your spirit. They are intended for those who seek God within and who are comfortable with themselves in the quiet and solitude this type of setting offers. The Pods are located one kilometre from the Abbey Church, and guests are welcome to join the community for prayer. Visitors to the God Pods usually make a donation of €65 per night.

Check-in for keys and directions at Monastery Reception between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Where necessary, alternative arrangements can be made. 

Guests are asked to vacate hermitages by 11:00 am in order to prepare for arriving guests.

The pod is a single, self-catering, open-plan dwelling with a kitchenette, dining, relaxing and sleeping space, as well as a bathroom. It is equipped with a small fridge, electric hob and microwave oven. Bed linen, bath towels and tea towels are all provided. 

Heating is electric with a wood stove for comfort and company. Firewood is provided.

In the event that you may need Wi-Fi, it may be advisable to have a modem of your own.

There is a three-night minimum stay policy, and most people find up to two weeks enough in this space.

For long-stay, there is a linen change and the possibility to do laundry

Donations can be made by cash, cheque (payable to Glenstal Abbey Operations) or credit card at monastery reception. Most visitors choose to donate €55 per night for stays up to one week

THe garden Cottage

We have a cottage, known as ‘the Garden Cottage’, located near the monastery gardens. It is more suitable for extended stays and operates similarly to the God Pods in that it is self-contained and self-catering.

The letting rate for the cottage (utilities are charged separately): 

  • One week for €500
  • Two weeks for €400 p/w
  • Three weeks or more at €300 p/w

For more information, email the guestmaster@glenstal.com or call 061 621005

Subscribe To Our Newsletter To Receive Updates