Listen back: Executive Director of Melleray's new 'Ave Maria University' campus...

Over 2,000 people travelled from all over Ireland and the US over the weekend to join Ave Maria University (AMU) and the Cistercian Order as they celebrated a new beginning for Mount Melleray Abbey. 

It comes almost two years after the historic abbey closed to the public and following its conversion into the Irish campus of US-based Ave Maria University.

Thomas Monaghan, the founder of Domino's Pizza and the former owner of the Detroit Tigers, is the founder and chancellor for Ave Maria University.

One of the events in Melleray to mark the re-opening of the Abbey at the weekend was a special Mass celebrated by the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan.

But who exactly are Ave Maria University, how did their presence in Melleray come about, and what do those involved think their location in Melleray will mean for the community and the wider county?

This morning (Wednesday), the Exective Director of Ave Maria University's new Melleray campus, Dr Sam Shepherd, was a guest on 'Deise Today'.

You can listen back to his chat with Damien by clicking on the image...

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