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10 Mar 2026
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10 Mar 2026
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Mount Melleray Abbey and (inset) File Photo
Concerns have been raised over an American university’s plan to establish a campus in County Waterford.
The Florida-based Ave Maria University looks set to take over Mount Melleray, following discussions with the Cistercian Order.
It is understood that the site will be used as part of a study abroad programme for its students.
However, People Before Profit’s Waterford branch have called for the order to instead hand over the site to Waterford City and County Council.
In a post on Facebook, it described Ave Maria University as “ultra Christian right wing” and accused the university of having ties to US President Donald Trump.
READ NEXT: US Catholic university hopes to ‘form future saints’ at new Waterford campus
It stated: “As we explained in earlier posts, this American outfit is an extreme right wing group that is directly linked to Donald Trump and the MAGA movement and support his wars around the world.
“This move is apparently the MAGA movement’s attempt to establish a base in Ireland and Europe.
“In posts and press releases over the last few months, Waterford PBP have called on the Cistercian Order to bequeath the abbey and its lands to the State via WCCC.”
The party branch added that the site could be used to provide facilities for carers or for social housing.
The university has said that it plans to “form future saints” at the location, with it set to become its “signature study abroad programme”.
It is hoped that the students will not be coming to Ireland as tourists, but to become part of the “cultural patrimony of Ireland”.
Meanwhile, the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan, welcomed the university’s plans in an interview with RTÉ News on Sunday.
Bishop Cullinan said: “With the new Ave Maria University, this is a new chapter in the story of Mount Melleray. It’s not over, it’s continuing.”
The monastery was home to the Cistercian Order for nearly 200 years, but closed in January 2025 after the last remaining monks were relocated elsewhere.
In August, the Cistercians confirmed they were in discussions with a “like-minded community” over the future of the site. It has since been confirmed that talks with Ave Maria University are at an “advanced stage”.
Ave Maria University has been approached for comment in relation to People Before Profit’s statement.
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