Kylemore Abbey, Connemara

Monday, 16th September, 2019.

When wealthy English doctor Mitchell Henry and his wife Margaret visited Connemara on their honeymoon in 1850, Margaret was "so charmed" with the area that Mitchell bought land and built a castle for her, completing it in 1868.  Sadly, Margaret died six years later, while holidaying in Egypt.

Feeling a bit peckish after all our mountainous driving, we had lunch in the Kylemore Abbey Mitchell’s Café.  Potato and dill soup, with a cheese and onion scone.  Yum.

The castle is approached by walking beside Pollacappul Lake, presenting the visitor with the stunning view of the building reflected in the calm water.  

On the hill above the abbey was a statue of Jesus.  Can you see it?  Not quite Rio de Janeiro, but still impressive.

Robin on the path.

After being owned by the Henry family, the castle had various owners until it was purchased by the Benedictine Nuns in 1920.

In 1923, the nuns established a flourishing school which operated until 2010.  Today the nuns continue with their daily life of work and prayer, and are the directors of the Kylemore Trust.  We were there on a Monday afternoon, well after the busy summer season, and there were still many visitors.

When the Benedictine nuns became the owners, the building was referred to as an abbey rather than a castle, but is still presented to visitors as it was in its heyday when owned by the Henry family.

View of the lake from the reception room.

Dining room.

After Margaret died, Mitchell built this church as a memorial chapel to his wife.

Within various parts of this church are marble columns from the four provinces of Ireland :  green from Connemara (Connaught), rose from Cork (Munster), black from Kilkenny (Leinster) and grey from Armagh (Ulster).

Kathy lights a candle.

While we were there, the sun had come out.  What a beautiful day!