Explore Ireland 2015

Kylemore Abbey and Gardens

Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden is a beautiful destination to visit in Connemara at any time of year.

The beautiful landscape and the gothic castle reflected in Connemara Lake are absolutely stunning and it has become the largest tourist attraction in the west of Ireland.

Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery that was founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle. The abbey was founded by nuns who fled Belgium in WWI.

The Benedictine nuns invite visitors to experience the Victorian atmosphere of the Abbey's restored rooms, miniature gothic church, head gardener’s house and garden boy’s house.

The castle was built as a private home for Mitchell Henry and his family. Henry was a wealthy doctor from London, whose family was in the textile manufacturing business in Manchester, England. After the move to Ireland, he became a politician. There is a rich history behind the makings of the castle.

The history is full of tragedy and romance, as well as engineering initiatives, model farms, royal visits and the Abbey was even a girls’ boarding school.

Explore Kylemore’s many nature trails, woodland walks and the magical award winning walled garden. Discover the Victorian heritage of the walled garden, where only flower and vegetable varieties from that era are grown – incredibly beautiful.

R32;Mitchell’s café and the tea house offers home-cooked food made from recipes perfected by the Benedictine nuns and using fresh vegetables and herbs from the walled garden.

There is also a craft shop has a wide selection of design-focused Irish giftware including artisan food products, knitwear, pottery, art and handcrafts made by the Benedictine nuns at Kylemore.

For more information about Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, visit: www.kylemoreabbeytourism.ie and www.ireland.com.