Kylemore Abbey – Things To See & Do
Ireland is famous for its castles, and no adventure on the Emerald Isle is complete without spending a half-day or so exploring and admiring one of them. But with at least 30,000 scattered across the countryside, travel adventurists must pick and choose which to visit carefully. After all, they are not all hidden gems!
At Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden, you can mix history with Irish tales of romance and tragedy connected to the castle’s storied past. One of Galey, Ireland’s most iconic attractions, the abbey was originally a fabulous castle. It sits gracefully on the shore of Lough Pollacappull at the base of Druchruach Mountain.
The whole family will enjoy touring the magnificent rooms and exploring the six acres of lovingly restored buildings at the Victorian Walled Garden. A short walk away from the Abbey, the Gothic church is an archeological gem. Nearby, original owners Mitchell and Margaret Henry rest forever side by side in the Mausoleum.
The 1,000-acre estate also features woodland walks, lakeshore strolls, nature trails, and a play trail for kids. Be sure to stop by Mitchell’s café for delicious home-cooked food and The Garden Tea House for freshly baked goodies. Then complete your visit by stopping in to shop at the Craft and Design Shop.
Tour the Abbey
The former castle has over 70 fascinating rooms. Several restored rooms are open to the public that let you get a glimpse into the lives of Mitchell and Margaret Henry, the original owners, and their colorful successors. Other rooms are used to display the artifacts collections of the nuns and other residents of the abbey.
Visitors who have already been to Kylemore and visited before June of 2019 should consider another visit. Since that date, the abbey offers a Visitor’s Experience that uniquely brings to life the endearing stories of generations of people who have lived, worked, studied, and worshiped inside the granite walls. Their stories are told through historic photographs, audio-visuals, displays of artifacts, and more.
The self-guided experience uses an App, so you might need a bit of data. I always use a local Ireland eSIM when I travel, that way you avoid those insanely expensive roaming fees!
Back to the tour. It combines modern interpretative techniques with restored rooms and period décor on the abbey’s ground floor. A brochure with a map and guide is available in nine languages. Guides are available to answer questions about the abbey’s beginnings in the 1860s and how it evolved from a romantic gift to a Benedictine abbey in 1920. The upstairs of the building is a residence for the nuns and is closed to the public.