The Mount Melleray Campus Series: From history to hospitality, one update at a time.

Exciting news! This summer, Ave Maria University is preparing to welcome its first cohort of students to Mount Melleray Abbey in County Waterford, Ireland—our new international instructional campus. Chief Strategy Officer Dan Schreck and his team are working hard behind the scenes to ensure every detail is perfect by fall. We'll be sharing updates throughout the summer via social media videos and right here on this page, so check back often for photos and fresh developments as this historic campus comes to life.

Mount Melleray Abbey is no ordinary location. Founded in 1832 during Ireland's Catholic Emancipation, the monastery stands as a living monument to faith and learning—a place where nearly two centuries of spiritual tradition, prayer, and education have unfolded. There's even a remarkable story woven into the very stones of the abbey church: built over five years from stones salvaged from a castle burned by the IRA a century ago. This is a place where history breathes, where the Cistercian values of ora et labora—prayer and work—shaped daily life for generations. Now, Ave Maria University has been entrusted to continue that legacy in partnership with the local bishop and the Cistercian community.

For Ave Maria students, a semester at Mount Melleray offers a transformational experience that truly enhances their education. They'll earn core credits with AMU faculty without delaying the graduation timeline, all while immersed in a rhythm of daily Mass, adoration, confession, and sacramental life. The campus sits in serene rural Waterford—just minutes from charming villages and stunning beaches—yet remains well-connected to Cork Airport and Dublin. It's the perfect blend of contemplative community and adventure.

Whether you're an alumnus from our Michigan, Vineyards, or Ave Maria campus, curious about where Ave Maria is heading, we invite you to follow along as we share this journey. Stay tuned to our social media and this page for videos, photos, and stories from Mount Melleray. Better yet, as Dan says, you should come visit us in Ireland—your second campus awaits.