Silverstream Priory is a community of monks living under the Rule of
Saint Benedict.
Silverstream House, near Stamullen, in County Meath, situated on 170
acres, is a large stone structure in a beautiful setting in from the
road, surrounded by trees, on a hill overlooking the Irish Sea, about
three miles from Gormanston.
The name “Silverstream” comes from a little stream which runs to the
southeast of the house. It rises in the townland of Mullaghteeling and
passes through the townland of Balloy, before entering the river
Delvin in the townland of Stamullen.
Since the early 15th century, the property belonged to the Lords of Gormanston.
It was not until 1843 that Silverstream House (known as “The Dowry
House”) was built by Thomas Preston (1817-1903), son of Jenico
Preston, the 12th Viscount (1775-1860), and brother to Edward Anthony
Preston, the 13th Viscount (1796-1876).
In 1942 the Silverstream House and land (170 acres) were purchased by
Hospitaller Brothers of St John of God. Silverstream House became a
home for young men with learning disabilities, where they could be
engaged in dignified work according to their personal skills and
abilities, either in farming or in crafts. The church, dedicated St
Theresa’s, was built by forty local volunteers from Dublin.
In 1955, after 13 years the Order of Hospitallers of St John of God
reluctantly withdrew from Stamullen. Silverstream property was
purchased by the contemplative Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary.
Nuns left the property in December 2012.
In February 2012, Benedictine monks from Tulsa, Oklahoma came to
occupy the property.
Monks sing their prayers in Latin. People who like Gregorian Chant may
be interested in Conventual Mass celebrated on Sunday at 10:00 and
11:15 on weekdays. Monks sing Vespers everyday at 18:00.
You can easily park behind the gate on the yard in front of the Monastery.
Monks close the gate to the monastery in the evening and open it in
the morning. Cache is not accessible during the night. Monks know
about the cache and are very hospitable for all the visitors. They
have well supplied bookshop in the Gatehouse of the Monastery.