Kylemore Abbey
Connemara is one of the most beautiful areas in Ireland. Oscar Wilde described it as “a savage beauty”. It is a haunting landscape of rugged mountains, sparsely inhabited valleys, desolate bogs and rocky shorelines.
Savage Beauty
Kylemore Abbey is known as Ireland’s most romantic castle. Located in the heart of Connemara, Co. Galway, set in the most idyllic location, Kylemore Abbey is one of the top places to visit in Ireland. Click to get driving directions to the Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey from your location.
Story of Kylemore Abbey
Castle
Mitchell and Margaret Henry visited Connemara while on their honeymoon and were enchanted by the beauty of the landscape. Soon after that Mitchell built the fairytale Castle as a romantic gift to her wife. Tragically Margaret was only going to enjoy her beautiful Castle for a brief time. She died suddenly in 1874 on their holiday trip to Egypt. Neo-Gothic Church to the east of the Castle was built by Mitchell as a memorial chapel to her memory.
Church
The castle and lands were sold to the duke and duchess of Manchester on 1903, who squander the property to support their lavish lifestyle.
Then, after years of neglect, a community of Benedictine nuns enter the story stage left. Seeking refuge after the destruction of their abbey during World War I, they restore the property and later open it as an international boarding school. Today the school is closed but the nuns have converted the home economics room into a chocolate room, where they are making delicious chocolate.
Beautiful Ireland 