Exploring ​Kylemore Abbey and Connemara Ireland | Dallaswear

Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, Ireland

Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, Ireland, is just one hour away from Galway. The scenery of Connemara was described as a “savage beauty” by Oscar Wilde and it really is a beautiful landscape to be in.

One of Ireland’s top tourist destinations we were lucky enough to visit Kylemore Abbey on a coach tour from Galway a few years ago. We had a lovely time from the very moment we drove on to the estate. The view of the castle from across the lake is the iconic view of Kylemore.

The castle was built in the late 1800’s by Mitchell Henry as a romantic gesture for his wife Margaret. They had visited the location while on honeymoon and fell in love with the place. Mitchell was born in Manchester. His father was Irish and a successful business owner. Mitchell found his own success as a talented pathologist and eye surgeon, having his own practice in Harley Street by the time he was thirty. When his father died, Mitchell inherited the family business. The inheritance made Mitchell a hugely wealthy man and he gave up his medical career to settle in Ireland. The castle was built for his wife and expanding family and Mitchell concentrated on improving the economy of the area by taking up a career in politics.

The castle sits at the base of the 1,736ft tall Druchruach Mountain, in the heart of the Connemara mountains. The mountain had to be blasted away by dynamite to fit the castle in. It was designed by Irish Architect James Franklin Fuller and boasted all the best of Victorian mod-cons, as well as a staggering thirty-three bedrooms!

Mitchell’s life was struck by tragedy, when his beloved wife passed away at the age of 45. Mitchell stayed on at Kylemore and was a philanthropic landlord to his tenants and workers. Through his encouragement, over a period of forty years, he and his tenants reclaimed thousands of acres of bogland, which was really nothing more than wasteland, making it suitable for growing fruit and vegetables that were otherwise unattainable for ordinary people of the period. His legacy of land management had a lasting effect on the region, both on the landscape itself and in the memories of the people who benefited from it.

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Kylemore Abbey, as it is now, still has the Victorian Walled Garden that Mitchell created in the late 1800’s. The gardens are absolutely stunning andare probably the highlight of a visit to Kylemore. At their peak they were considered so grand as to be compared to Kew Gardens in London. At one time the gardens had twenty-one glasshouses and a team of forty gardeners! Over the years the gardens became completely overgrown and fell in to disrepair. In 1995, the Benedictine Nuns who now own the property, began to restore them. Kylemore Abbey’s Victorian Walled Garden is now visited by garden lovers from across the world. It is categorized as a Heritage Garden and amazingly only displays plant varieties from the Victorian era!

Along the shore of the lake at Kylemore sits a charming neo-Gothic style church. Upon the death of his dear wife, Mitchell had the mini cathedral built in her memory. It’s a beautiful building. It was rededicated as a Catholic Church when the Benedictine Nuns arrived at Kylemore and is often used for poetry readings, musical events and cross community celebrations.

At Kylemore Abbey you can enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery, the tranquil lake, the pretty little neo-Gothic Church and woodland walks. It’s also a fabulous place for a family day out. There are unusual, naturally occurring rocks, which have their own magical myths and legends associated to them. One such stone is triangular in shape and known as the Ironing Stone because it resembles a massive Iron believed to have belonged to a famous Giant who lived in the area. Legend has it that if a child stands with his back to the stone and throws three pebbles behind him, over the stone, his wish will come true.

When I have a day out somewhere, it’s all the more enjoyable if there is somewhere nice to sit and enjoy a tasty little something! Kylemore Abbey does not disappoint! Traditional home cooked food that tastes delicious. I recall having a delicious bowl of soup accompanied by soda bread during my visit and enjoying every mouthful!

There’s also the opportunity for some retail therapy, with a visit to the Kylemore Abbey gift shop! There is a pottery in the grounds of the Abbey where the Nuns create and decorate the renowned Abbey Fuschia Pottery. The Craft and Design Shop is home to many well-known Irish designers plus emerging Irish artists and crafts people. This is where you’re sure to be able to find a beautiful and unique gift for someone special.

Lastly, Kylemore has its own range of handmade food and beauty products. In the Chocolate Kitchen the Benedictine Nuns make handmade chocolates and next door in the Soap Room they produce a selection of high-quality soaps, candles and skin products using natural ingredients.

Unfortunately, but not unsurprisingly, Kylemore Abbey is closed at present due to COVID-19 Lockdown. Please refer to the Kylemore Abbey website before visiting, I will post a link below.

For anyone interested in shopping at Kylemore Abbey they have an online shop which remains open.

Kylemore Abbey Website:

https://www.kylemoreabbey.com/

Online shopping at Kylemore Abbey:

https://www.kylemoreabbey.com/kylemore-abbey-gift-...