Benedictine Monastery at Kylemore Abbey voted Ireland’s favourite building at the RIAI Awards 2025
We are delighted to announce that the winner of the prestigious 2025 RIAI Public Choice Award is the Benedictine Monastery at Kylemore Abbey by Axo Architects. With 14,000 votes cast in total, the Benedictine Monastery emerged as the winner. The project has captured hearts across the country, reflecting its exceptional architectural merit and deep connection to its environment and community.
Nestled on the edge of Pollacappul Lough, beneath the rugged Duchruach Mountain and near the historic Kylemore Abbey, the new monastery harmoniously integrates with its dramatic surroundings. Drawing on monastic traditions, the design evolves from a central garth and cloister, unfolding into a series of brick volumes of varying height and scale. The result is a serene and timeless structure that quietly complements its landscape through sensitive consideration of context, scale, materiality, and visual harmony.
The Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant, finishing in second place, marks a pioneering piece of civic infrastructure that embodies public good. In third place, the new 12-classroom building at Scoil Naomh Bríd Culleens is filled with daylight, delight, colour and joy, serving the education and wellbeing of 330 children. In fourth place, the redevelopment of the Dún Laoghaire Baths has reimagined and opened up a 400-m stretch of coastline.
RIAI President, Seán Mahon FRIAI, said, “This year’s Public Choice Award winner is a remarkable example of how thoughtful, context-sensitive architecture can enhance both place and purpose. The new monastery at Kylemore Abbey demonstrates a deep understanding of heritage, landscape, and community, creating a space that feels both grounded in tradition and relevant to the present. We are thrilled to see the public recognise and celebrate architecture that enriches lives and contributes meaningfully to a much loved natural landscape and environment.”
This year, the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards received 124 entries, with 48 projects shortlisted for the Public Choice Award—21 from Dublin, 20 from regional Ireland, and 6 international projects by Irish architects.
The RIAI Irish Architecture Awards will take place tomorrow evening where the full list of winners across all categories will be announced.
The RIAI Awards 2025 are proudly supported by Gold Sponsors – Sika Ireland and VELUX.
The top 10 Projects in the RIAI Public Choice Award 2025 are:
- Benedictine Monastery at Kylemore Abbey by Axo Architects for The Kylemore Trust
- Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant by Clancy Moore Architects in collaboration with Ayesa Engineers for Uisce Éireann / Irish Water
- Scoil Naomh Bríd, Culleens, by SJK Architects for Board of Management, Scoil Naomh Bríd Culleens
- The Redevelopment of Dún Laoghaire Baths by dlr architects and A2 Architects for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
- Lough Corrib 471 by Helena McElmeel Architects for Claran, Clydagh, Collinamuck and St. Annin's National Schools, Corrib Beo and Arts Council
- Saint Paul’s Monasterevin by de Blacam and Meagher Architects for Department of Education and Youth
- Dublin Simon Community by O'Connell Mahon Architects for Dublin Simon Community
- Athlone Greenway Bridge by Seán Harrington Architects for Westmeath County Council
- Harcourt Terrace Educate Together National School by tún - architecture + design for Department of Education and Youth
- Tolka Estuary Greenway by Darmody Architecture and TTT (thirtythreetrees) for Dublin Port Company
The Jury for the RIAI Awards 2025 are: Séamus Guidera MRIAI, Chair; Annie Fletcher, Director, IMMA, Distinguished Guest Juror; Carmel Brennan MRIAI; Nicci Brock MRIAI; Mark Costello MRIAI; Martin Liepmann MRIAI; Derbhile McDonagh MRIAI; Anna Meehan MRIAI; Sharon O’Gara MRIAI; Declan Scullion MRIAI.
For all media enquiries, please contact: Katie McNamee, E: katie.mcnamee@redflag.global; M: +353 86 062 3973 / Kevin McGrath, E: kevin.mcgrath@redflag.global, M: 085 830 6610
About the RIAI: The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) supports and regulates the architectural profession and promotes the value that architecture brings to society for everyone’s benefit. We work to ensure high standards for consumer protection and have over 3,800 Registered Architects in Ireland and close to 4,900 Members.