These days there is a pilgrim hostel here at the centre of 30 kilometres of walking trails. Visitors to Mount Melleray can visit the Abbey Church with its magnificent stained-glass east window, browse through the Cistercian Heritage Centre, and have a coffee in the volunteer-run café
Magnetically attractive, abbeys are islands of serenity in a chaotic world. And so it is that the dreamy spires of Mount Melleray Abbey, County Waterford, act as an almost irresistible attraction for travellers crossing the famous Vee Gap of the Knockmealdown Mountains.
Working with the maxim that what is useful should also be beautiful, the monks have created a place of tranquillity and peace with the result that, for almost two centuries, people have come to pray, meditate, and reflect. Yet, it was by chance that this renowned abbey came to exist.
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