5 Reasons to Visit Kylemore Abbey in Connemara
It took 100 men four years to build and consisted of 33 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and numerous reception rooms. Mitchell Henry planted 300,000 trees on the 15,000 acre estate. He developed a water driven generator for electricity at a cost of £2,000 but it saved £390 per year. He was a benevolent landlord. He encouraged his tenants to improve their holdings encouraged them to install windows, founded a local school and installed a water pump for tenants in Letterfrack. He provided work for the tenants and reduced their rent in times of hardship.
Mitchell sold the estate to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester who made significant changes to the interior of the house. They lost the estate due to the Duke’s gambling debts. It was purchased by the Benedictine order of nuns in 1920 and they opened an international school for young ladies in 1923. The school closed in 2010 and today the Abbey is a major tourist attraction. If you are planning to visit you should allow two hours for your visit. Here is why you should not miss this attraction:
Here is why you should not miss this attraction
1. The Abbey
You will be amazed by your first sight of the mansion. It was originally built as a hunting lodge and parts of the interior are open to the public. You will see a multimedia presentation of the history of the Benedictine order and the background to the building of the house. Then you can roam through various rooms where you will see the luxury enjoyed by the Mitchels’ and Manchesters’ during their occupation of the estate. During the season there is a short history talk in the hallway at midday which is worth scheduling.
2. The Gothic Church
Mitchell and Margaret had 9 children but Margaret died of dysentery in 1874 during a visit to Egypt. Her body was brought back to Kylemore and mourned for a period in a glass coffin before being interred in a crypt beyond the church. Henry was heartbroken and he had this built in 1877 in her memory. The church is aligned with the abbey and can be seen from what was Mitchel’s bedroom in the house. It was the first thing he saw when he got up in the morning and the last thing before we retired to bed.
3. The Crypt
This simple red bricked building is located behind the church. This is where Margaret’s coffin was placed after her demise. When Margaret died, locals were devastated as they regarded her as their mother rather than their mistress. When Mitchell Henry died his remains were cremated and his ashes placed here with Margaret. Given the love that they had for each other and the estate it is an appropriate location for them both.
4. The Walled Gardens
Mitchell Henry made significant developments in the including this 3 hectare Victorian walled garden created on a bog in 1901. In its day is had 21 heated glasshouses and a canal system for water. The garden provided vegetables, fruit and flowers for the house. Over the years the garden fell into dereliction but was restored by the nuns in 2000. There is a complimentary bus service to the garden from the entrance to the estate.
5. The Cafe.
After your exertions you will probably be feeling peckish. The cafe serves a great range of home produced food using mostly local produce. The culinary delights range from a light snack to a full dinner. You may also like to sample Kylemore Chocolate Cream liqueur or the Kylemore Chocolate both of which are made on the estate.
This is one of my favourite places to visit in Ireland. It’s a five star visit. Don’t miss it of you are coming to Ireland. To make the most of your visit, why not experience it as part of our Captivating Connemara Tour? This private guided journey includes Kylemore Abbey along with some of the region’s most stunning landscapes, ensuring an unforgettable day on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
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