Castle Turned Abbey - Kylemore Abbey

Built between 1863 and 1868 in Galway, Kylemore Castle, was a 70-room private home for Mitchell Henry and his family. Mitchell was the son of a wealthy Manchester cotton merchant, and he was skilled pathologist and eye surgeon, who ended up getting involved with politics. The castle contained a ballroom with a sprung floor, a magnificent staircase, a library, a study as well as thirty-three bedrooms. For almost 10 years, Mitchell, Margaret and their nine children lived here. In 1874, while on a holiday in Egypt , Margaret contracted a fever and died, and Mitchell did not spend much time at the castle anymore. In 1903, Mitchell sold Kylemore Castle to the Duke of Manchester and his Duchess wife (‘dollar princess’ Helena Zimmerman). The couple’s lavish lifestyle was financed by Helena’s father, American businessman, Eugene Zimmerman. The royal couple is said to have been forced to sell the estate in 1920 due to gambling debts, releasing it to its current owners, the Irish Benedictine Nuns. The nuns had fleed their home in Ypres after being heavily bombed during World War I. The nuns turned Kylemore Castle into the first Irish Benedictine Abbey. Here, they opened another international boarding and day school for girls, which ran until 2010.

Here is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy!

Part of the main facade

Looking out the main entrance door

The dining room

The Ladies’ Drawing Room

Do you like the images posted?
Click here to explore the shop.

History of Kylemore Castle and Abbey

By Villiers-Tuthill, Kathleen

The Benedictine Nuns and Kylemore Abbey: A History

By Raftery, Deirdre, KilBride, Catherine

Castles of Ireland

By Ashe FitzGerald, Mairéad

A few views of the castle and the tranquil setting.

.

Some horses still remain on the property

.

One of the three entrances to the 6-acre Victorian Walled Garden.

One of the greenhouses that make up the 21 greenhouse complex in the walled garden.

A few views of the walled garden which was divided into flower and kitchen gardens.

.

.

.

.

Some garden buildings within the huge walled garden.

Inside the tool shed

A display showing one of the nuns working in the garden

Some of interior rooms of the head gardener’s house.

.

.

When you enter the main house there are a few rooms of exhibits of the history of the building and its occupant over the years.

.

.

A beautiful fireplace in one of the exhibition rooms

The there are many beautifully restored period rooms

The Victorian WC

The staircase hall

.

.

The Gallery Saloon Hall

.

.

.

The Ladies’ Drawing Room

.

.

.

.

.

Part of the “Life in the Castle” exhibit room which was originally two rooms, the breakfast room and the morning room.

.

The dining room

.

.

.

The ceiling of the second floor great room

A copy of The Book of Kels

.

The lake view

The Neo-Gothic-style miniature replica of the Norwich Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1881 by Mitchell Henry in memory of his wife Margaret. Also nearby is the family mausoleum where Margaret and Mitchell Henry were laid to rest.

What you should know:

• There is a Tea House restaurant located near the Victorian Walled Garden.

• There is a walking trail or a shuttle bus that can take you to / from the main house and the Walled Victorian Garden.

• Public restrooms are available.

• One price ticket includes parking, and self-guided tours of the abbey, grounds and walled garden.

• Tours are self-guided.

• Check website for days and hours of operation, as well as any special events.

Location: Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland

For more information: Kylemore Abbey