You simply have to stop at Kylemore Abbey if you are in the vicinity, even if just for a quick snapshot of the main building from across the lake. This perfect view has launches a thousand postcards and is one of the top attractions in the West of Ireland. A closer look might have you wondering what the fuss is all about, but the first impression counts! And what an impression it is ...
Kylemore Abbey - the Pros and the Cons
Let us have a short look at what makes Kylemore Abbey a worthwhile destination ...
- Kylemore Abbey is one of the best known sights (and picture postcard views) of Ireland, no tour of Connemara would be complete without at least a glimpse.
- You will see impressive Neo-Gothic buildings, that can transport you back into a Victorian dreamland (come on a misty day for best effect).
- The grounds of Kylemore Abbey offer relaxing nature walks.
- Nearby are the splendidly restored walled gardens.
On the other hand ...
- You will have only limited access to the abbey itself.
- Kylemore Abbey can become very crowded in the season.
Kylemore Abbey in a Nutshell
Built as a splendid stately home, the sprawling complex is best described as a Victorian Gothic Revival Fantasy. It would, no doubt, inspire any writer of Gothic fiction and can double up as a film set of the spooky kind. It was, however, used mainly as a convent and boarding school by Benedictine nuns, who had originally fled from Belgium during the First World War. Today, visitors may explore the grounds, but have only restricted access to the buildings.
Kylemore Abbey - a Short Review
The huge, Neo-Gothic pile beside the lake, nestling into a steep mountain side, was conceived as a family home by Mitchell Henry. Unfortunately this was never to be - Henry's wife and daughter died soon after and the house was never really a home. Then in 1921 the Benedictine nuns came - nuns on the run. The Belgian order fled from the horrors of the First World War and (after an interlude in England) found a new home at the western extreme of Europe. The nuns rebuilt Kylemore as their abbey and incorporated a boarding school for girls. One of the most famous schools in Ireland now, even considered by Madonna for her daughter.
Alas, this will not come to be - due to dwindling membership the order has decided to wind the school down.
Most tourists will not be too taken aback by this - they come for the picture postcard view, the good restaurant, excellent souvenir shop and the walks. The abbey is not generally open to visitors, but the grounds are and so is a recently restored Neo-Gothic church a few hundred yards long the lake shore. Strolling along the well-maintained grounds on decent tracks is a pleasure not to be missed. It is, however, often skipped by visitors as it doesn't exactly come cheap and takes some time. The walled garden belonging to the abbey is almost a separate attraction but worth a visit as well.
Ultimately Kylemore Abbey is an attraction for walkers and lovers of Victorian architecture. To all others it might appear mediocre. Bearing in mind that the scenic view is a five-star-sight. So - a "must see", but not necessarily a "must pay and see close-up".
More Information on Kylemore Abbey
For current opening times, and admission prices, please refer to the Kylemore Abbey website.