Esker Retreat Centre in Galway, Ireland has been in operation since the late 1960’s. It is located beside and attached to the Esker Monastery, home to about sixteen Redemptorists, priests and brothers.
We can accommodate 40 to 72 people, in single or shared rooms. While we do not have,- as yet- any en-suite rooms, we try to make all rooms as comfortable as possible for our Guests.
Esker Monastery has been a sacred site for just 300 years now! In 1716 the Dominican Friars opened a new home here, while still hiding in the woods due to persecution. Redemptorists have been on this site since 1901.
Esker is a busy but quiet place,- busy with groups that come for retreats for one day or several. Busy at weekends with our public Church (build in 1844). Busy in the Youth Village with school groups, from age 12 to 18., or other Youth Groups.
Yet, the grounds around Esker are large, with walks around and over the two Eskers (-sandhills left after the Ice melted ten thousand years ago!). With over six hundred trees covering these walks, of many different varieties, and with the birds singing, one is very close to nature and to one’s own self.
Esker is a place of reflection. It is a place of Welcome – that’s our Middle Name, here! It is also a very convenient base for groups to travel out to various localities nearby.
Galway City is just 20 minutes away. The open spaces of Connemara lies beyond that, the Wild Atlantic Way is near us at several points. And, facing East, there’s Athlone and the River Shannon, and nearby there’s the ruins of an ancient monastery from the 600’s. Nearby also is the Burren, and the Cliffs of Moher, and all of County Clare. The choice is endless,- and it’s all near! There and back in a day.
We can feed you, wine you and dine you, if you wish. Or, you may prefer to make your own arrangements, or self-cater in the Rambling House in the Youth Village.
We will give you a Céad Míle Fáilte,- a Hundred Thousand Welcomes- all in the ancient Christian tradition of hospitality to those who travel. We will try to give you the hospitality of Christ, during your time with us.
See also about our Youth Village, on our website, www.redemptoristsesker.ie and visit ‘Gallery’ on same for photos of Esker Monastery, Retreat Centre, and Youth Village.
Enquiries to Gearoid Mulrooney, email gmulesker@gmail.com, or email info@redemptoristsesker.ie. We’ll have the kettle on for you, when you arrive!
Monastery accommodation for tourists and pilgrims.
An invaluable online booking platform for modern-day travelers, pilgrims and groups and a guide to alternative accommodation in convents, monasteries, abbeys, religious guest houses, retreat centres and Christian hotels around the world.
