Source: www.speakup.com.br
GOD’S GASTRONOMY
Brother Anselm’s golden rule for cooking at Glenstal Abbey is: variety. At dinner the monks might have Irish Stew, Hungarian goulash, Indonesian Curry –or Italian crespelle as on the evening I arrived. At Glenstal, dinner eaten in silence, only broken by the sound of the cutlery and the daily reading.
MONASTIC LIFE
Glenstal Abbey is a monastery with many faces. The exterior looks a bit like Windsor Castle. Once through the ancient gate. Hogwarts School from the Harry Potter films comes to mind though the church is modern. Glenstal is in fact also a boarding school for boys, at also a boarding school, for boys, although they seem so well-behaved that you hardly hear them. Benedictine rule teaches peace, work and prayer – the famous “Ora et Labora” – and hospitality. Visitors can come to Glenstal for retreats, to work on their own projects or just to relax for a few days.
They can take part in religious services, listen to Gregorian Chants, admire a collection of priceless Russian icons in an underground chapel and walk the beautiful grounds with many ancient trees. The abbey’s walled 17th century garden has a Bible Garden, with biblical plant from A to Z. A short walk brings you to a Mass Rock where Mass was said in secret during the period of the anti-Catholic Penal Laws.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Brother Anselm’s career as a monk is as unusual as the monastery itself with its relaxed atmosphere, full o Irish banter. Anselm, who was born Michael Hurt, entered a monastery in England after 12 years, he left, married and had children, but realised that religious life was the life for him. So when Anselm officially became a member of the Glenstal community of his 65th birthday, it was in the company of his family, including his five-year-old granddaughter!
TAVEL INFO
Glenstal Abbey www.glenstalabbey.com is located in Murroe in the north-east corner of Co. Limerick, close to the Co. Tipperary border. The nearest airport is Shannon Airport www.shannonairport.com . Murroe is a short drive from Limerick and a 3 to 4-hour drive from Dublin. There is a daily local Murroe-Limerick bus, too. Payment for the accommodation is made anonymous and by ability, but a suggested figure is € 65 per day. All meals are provided. For more information: www.discoverireland.com .
