American University to open new campus in almost 200-year-old abbey near Tipperary
The University is said to open a new campus in the old Mount Melleray Abbey, situated next to the Tipperary border.
A major new educational development has been announced for the south-east with plans to open a university campus at the historic Mount Melleray Abbey, located near the Tipperary border.
Mount Melleray Abbey is situated on the Knockmealdown Mountain slopes near Cappoquin, County Waterford and was founded in 1833.
The abbey closed its doors in January of 2025 due to its aging community and a decline in new members joining the vocation.
Last month, Mount Melleray Abbey’s Cistercian community confirmed they had been having discussions with Ave Maria University regarding a proposed educational initiative at the abbey.
It was confirmed this week in 'The Irish Catholic Newspaper' that the educational facility will open in the abbey in September 2026.
A total of 100 Catholic students will arrive to study in Ireland as part of the new programme and there are reportedly already 300 applications for these places.