Kylemore Castle and Gardens, Connemara, Ireland
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325105)
Rockingham, Australia
January 14, 2020 4:02am CST
One of the more memorable places that we visited in Ireland in 2013 was Kylemore Abbey and Castle in Connemara, Co. Galway. The castle was built for Mitchell Henry as a private residence. Henry, a doctor from London, came from a family who were in the textile manufacturing industry in Manchester, England. Construction of the castle began in 1867. It took a workforce of 100 men four years to build.
The main wall is two to three feet thick and there are 33 bedrooms (but only four bathrooms), ballroom, billiard room and various other rooms. There is also a Gothic cathedral and a family mausoleum.
In 1909, the castle was sold to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester. In 1920, Irish Benedictine nuns purchased the Abbey castle after being forced to flee from Belgium during the First World War. They had been based in Ypres for several centuries but were bombed out during the War. The Abbey became a school for Catholic girls, both international and local. The school closed in 2010.
A very interesting feature is the walled Victorian Gardens which cover six acres. A natural mountain stream divides the garden into two. It is built in bogland, the only walled garden so constructed. Half the garden is devoted to providing food for the kitchen while the other half is a pleasure garden complete with glasshouses (some restored) and gardeners' houses.
22 people like this
23 responses
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
14 Jan 20
@JudyEv They do say that in days of yore if the reigning monarch didn't like a particular nobleman they would pay them an unexpected visit with their entire entourage. In such cases the 'host' would have to entertain them all at his own expense for as long the monarch decided to stay. It was an excellent way of bankrupting the disliked individual.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
14 Jan 20
@m_audrey6788, yes so true , it's so wonderful.
2 people like this
@xFiacre (12607)
• Ireland
14 Jan 20
@judyev I love Kylemore and have spent quite a few holidays in the area. It's lovely to visit but I only go off season since the coach loads of tourists make it a tad less peaceful. Nearby Connemara National Park, just beyond Letterfrack, has great walks up the mountain. Letterfrack also has a great place to eat on a blustery winter night complete with music.
4 people like this
@Fleura (29077)
• United Kingdom
14 Jan 20
That sounds great. I have only been twice to the island of Ireland; once for a week of diving near Cork, and the second time for a weekend in Belfast when my partner was working there. We should definitiely have a family holiday there; I don't know why I haven't thought of that before!
2 people like this
@jobelbojel (34729)
• Philippines
14 Jan 20
This view is wonderful. I like to go there in the future.
2 people like this
@JESSY3236 (18888)
• United States
14 Jan 20
Pretty. I'm listening to a book where the main character goes to Ireland to hunt vampires.
4 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Jan 20
So green and like a fairy tale castle.
3 people like this
@happylife1 (13404)
• Karachi, Pakistan
14 Jan 20
Nice detail about castle.....
It is really impressive
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@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
14 Jan 20
@happylife 1, yes right impressive and interesting castle .
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325105)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 20
Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it @happylife1 @cacay1
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@Tampa_girl7 (48862)
• United States
15 Jan 20
On my goodness . It is breathtaking.
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@JudyEv (325105)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 20
@Tampa_girl7 It is so unlike anything that we have in Australia.
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
15 Jan 20
jest wow! thanks much fer the history 'n the pics 'f this masterpiece. i'm a tad shocked the nuns could 'fford such? 'twas certainly put to good use fer many years though. how i'd love to go wanderin' through that place! jest delightful that such's bein' well-maintained. that stream 'twas a blessin' fer certain back'n the day 'n now adds great beauty to the landscape.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
16 Jan 20
@JudyEv perhaps such 'twas a donation 'f sorts? with the 'ntent to be that school fer those young'uns 's well 's a place fer the nuns to reside? i cringe to think 'f the 'pkeep 'f such a wondrous place - 'nside 'n out.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
16 Jan 20
@JudyEv i found 't :) "The community officially purchased Kylemore Castle and the accompanying 10,000-acre estate on November 30, 1920, for a price of £45,000. "
this article's loads 'f info. i stayed intrigued with learnin' more 'f the history, so thanks much fer this discussion! most fascination.
Notre Dame's Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism brings together scholars from history, theology, women’s studies, sociology, religious studies, American studies, and English to interpret the American Catholic experience.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (76455)
• Germany
15 Jan 20
@JudyEv Yes, it is a long flight from Australia to Ireland. It is only 1hour and 15 from Düsseldorf Germany to Dublin, Ireland. My hubby and I went always with a car to Ireland and it takes also more than a day to reach our destination in Ireland.
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