Kylemore Abbey, Benedictine abbey in Connemara, Ireland
Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Connemara, Ireland, sitting at the base of mountains and along the shore of Pollacappul lake. The main building shows grey limestone walls with numerous pointed turrets, while the neo-Gothic chapel stands separately among trees further east.
Mitchell Henry built the estate beginning in 1868 as a private home for his wife Margaret, who died shortly after completion. Benedictine nuns from Ypres in Belgium took over the abandoned castle in 1920 and established both school and convent here.
The name Kylemore comes from the Irish words meaning great wood, referring to the dense forests surrounding the estate. Today visitors watch the sisters at their daily work and see how they support themselves through pottery and baking.
The buildings and gardens open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with visitors moving freely between the interior rooms, church and walled garden. A free shuttle bus takes guests from the main entrance to the garden area, as the walk there covers about half a mile (1 kilometer).
The miniature cathedral beside the lake was built from local limestone and holds colored glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Jesus. Margaret Henry lies buried in a mausoleum directly beside the church, while her husband rests in England.
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