A History Of Kylemore Abbey In 1 Minute

Dating back to the late 1800s, Kylemore Castle is best known for having housed a monastery for Benedictine nuns since 1920. Originating as a private family home before becoming the first of many Irish Benedictine Abbeys, the historic building and its grounds are now among Connemara’s biggest tourist attractions.

Early Years

Kylemore Castle was originally built as a 70-room private home for Mitchell Henry, a former doctor from England, and his wife. The Henrys, who are said to have fallen in love with the area while on honeymoon in Ireland, owned the castle until 1903 when it was bought by the Duke and Duchess of Manchester. This regal duo is said to have been forced to sell the property again in 1920 due to gambling debts, releasing it to its current owners, the Irish Benedictine Nuns.

The Irish Benedictine Nuns

The community known as the Irish Benedictine Nuns was founded in 1665 in Ypres, Belgium, to offer a refuge from religious persecution of Catholics in Ireland by the British. In 1920, the order had no choice but to flee their home in Ypres after the town was heavily bombed during World War I. The nuns bought Kylemore Castle and turned it into the first Irish Benedictine Abbey. Here, they opened another international boarding and day school for girls, which ran until 2010. Today, the Abbey is one of the West of Ireland’s most visited attractions.

Myths and Legends

Located in the stunning surroundings of rural Connemara on the shores of Pollacappal Lough, Kylemore Abbey is a beautifully tranquil site steeped in mythical significance. The Irish legendary figure Fionn mac Cumhaill is said to have lived on Diamond Hill close to the Kylemore Valley, and a huge stone on the grounds of the estate is said to have been thrown at McCool by another mythical hero, Cú Chulainn. Another local legend tells of a white horse emerging from the lake every seven years.

Reasons to Visit

Myths aside, this peaceful place has been a spiritual haven for many. As well as experiencing its restored rooms, visitors can take in the Neo-Gothic Church Mitchell Henry had built for his wife Margaret, and the mausoleum where the couple were buried together. The six-acre Victorian Walled Gardens on the estate have been restored to full bloom by the nuns and are open to the public for tours and walks. Those who wish to can write their names in a book of prayer requests in the Abbey’s front hall, asking the nuns to pray for them. Complimentary talks on the history of the Abbey are offered three times a day throughout the year, at 11.30am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm.

📅 Open daily from 9am, last admission 5pm.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.