Kylemore Abbey ConnemaraKylemore Abbey is a large 19th century lakeside castle in the heart of Connemara, surrounded by mountains. In its hay-day, as a luxurious mansion complete with vast walled gardens, it must have seemed like a Shangri-la in the distance of the untamed wilderness that is Connemara. Built by Mitchell Henry in 1867 for himself, his wife Margaret and their nine children, who would have enjoyed a fairy tale childhood, had their mother not died so young. She died just 3 years after it was finished and although Mitchell stayed on for another 30 years never remarrying, he too fell on hard times and sold it to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester, who enjoyed this luxurious lifestyle under the patronage of her rich American father Henry Zimmerman. It eventually passed into the hands of the nuns of the Benedictine order who had been displaced during World War 1 from their convent in Ypres, for the sum of £48,000 in 1920.
The nuns then opened a day school for local girls, an international boarding school and guesthouse, as well as devoting themselves to a life of prayer and hard work. Kylemore Abbey was self sufficient due to the farm and gardens. But far from an imagined mood of hard work, austerity and solemnity, the girls and indeed the nuns themselves, seem to have revelled in the beauty and tranquility of this unique place in which they had chosen to live, learn, work, play and pray. It is said 'that you never closer to God then in a garden. 10 Other things to do near Kylemore Abbey......... 1 Leenane very pretty seaside village. Visit the Sheep and Wool centre, nice cafe with view of the Killary fjord. 2 Killary fjord take the cruise down the 9 mile fjord to the mouth of the Atlantic, kids go free fri/sat/sundays. 3 Connemara National Park small exhibition centre, hiking trails up Diamond Hill, several routes available depending on fitness, tearooms and playground for little ones. 4 Avoca Handweavers probably the prettiest location ever for a shop? Letterfrack harbour, with view of Tully mountain, lovely place for a picnic. Known as the Possibly Shop? an indication of the treasure trove of choice that awaits you inside. 5 Inisbofin Island for a day trip or overnight stay, this is our ‘Treasure Ireland’ a pocket sized Ireland, fantastic scenery, beaches, castles, holy places, food and hospitality. Ferry from Cleggan harbour. 6 Or if you are a landlubber Drive on a bit further to Claddagh Duff where you can cross over to Omney island at low tide, for stunning view of wind and wave lashed High Island. 7 Clifden is very well known and loved, unfortunately though a little over developed of late, but not so the Sky road which has stunning Atlantic views, check out the bog where Alcock and Brown landed in 1919 having made the first transatlantic fligh. 8 Inagh lodge very beautiful friendly country house hotel, magnificent setting, fantastic food and four poster beds... 9 Ballyconeely is the wild west, stormed lashed beaches, with little cottages tucked in a under stone outcrops with nets and lobster pots piled up against turf stacked against gables, its a step back in time if you can ignore the holiday homes? 10 Roundstone very popular weekend break with the D4 set, crowded with d registered Mercedes and stuff in high season, gloriously normal rest of the time great restaurant s best lots of high quality fish restaurants. Sailing regattas during the summer.
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