Kylemore Castle's Mitchell Henry left a widower with nine children

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Mitchell Henry and his wife, Margaret, built Kylemore Castle in 1868. Using dynamite made it possible for the castle to be built into the hill behind it. Its position was carefully planned so that, on a still day, the castle would be reflected in the waters of Lough Pollucapal. Mitchell was a very skilled eye surgeon and also inherited the family cotton business in Manchester. He turned to politics, building Kylemore Castle, and bringing change, employment and economic growth to the Connemara region. At the time, the area was suffering badly from hunger and disease. Margaret embraced the role as ‘country lady’ and was much loved by the local tenants. The couple had nine children but, on a visit to Egypt just two years after the completion of the castle, she contracted a fever and died. More next time. The photo shows the sumptuous dining room.