Abbey Mode

Located just over one hour from Galway City, Kylemore Abbey is one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. It was built in the late 1800s by Mitchell Henry, a wealthy businessman, and liberal politician. The name Kylemore originates from the Irish words Coill Mór – meaning Great Wood.

Inspired by his love for his wife Margaret, and his hopes for his beloved Ireland, Henry created an estate boasting ‘all the innovations of the modern age’. An enlightened landlord and vocal advocate of the Irish people, Henry poured his life’s energy into creating an estate that would showcase what could be achieved in the remote wilds of Connemara.

This iconic castle is set in the most idyllic location, nestled between the base of Druchruach mountain and the picturesque Lough Pollaacapull. The view of the Abbey with the backdrop of the rugged landscape reflected in the stillness of the lake is a sight to behold, making it an unforgettable part of a trip to Connemara.  Standing on the banks of the lough, you couldn't help but bask in the glory, majesty, and serenity of this stunning countryside.

Today Kylemore Abbey is owned and run by the Benedictine community who have been in residence here since 1920.

Originally called Kylemore Castle, it was built between 1863 and 1868 as a private home for the family of Mitchell Henry, a wealthy politician from Manchester, England who was also MP for Galway County from 1871 to 1885.

This particular day, a very special woman was Lady of the Abbey, hosting a dinner party for Ireland's highest society.

After the death of Henry's wife Margaret in 1875, Mitchell did not spend much time there. He and his wife are both buried in the small mausoleum near the church in the grounds of the abbey (see below). 

Alongside the Abbey is the amazing Victorian Walled Garden

In the mid-nineties, the Benedictine nuns began work on the Victorian Walled Garden which had fallen into despair having not been maintained by previous owners. The magnificent Walled Garden was one of the last walled gardens of the Victorian era built in Ireland and the only Irish walled garden to be built in the middle of a bog. During Henry’s ownership it contained twenty-one glasshouses, which were very advanced for the time. To grow exotic plants, they were heated by hot water going through a system of underground pipes linked to three boilers. 

The nuns worked to restore the gardens back to their Victorian standard and rebuilt two glasshouses as well as the gardener’s cottage. The Walled Garden at Kylemore is beautifully manicured and this heritage garden only grows plants and vegetables from the Victorian era.  Both Jackie and Scott left this particular greenscape with a slew of new ideas for their own gardens back home in the states.

Our pilgrimage to the Abbey in the rear view mirror, it was back to Galway for a final night of frivolity, starting with a rooftop down dinner.

And then it was on to one of the finest and most unforgettable pub experiences on the trip: a pint at O'Connors.

Fans of musician Ed Sheeran will recognize this pub from his epic Galway Girl music video.  This particular night featured a trio of performers - on the guitar, fiddle, and bodhran drum.

The bar was packed and pulsing alongside the ballads and shanties.  Throughout the pub, pints were being hoisted, friends were gathering, memories were being made and friendships and courtships were being celebrated.

Including of course, me and my own Galway Girl

A must-see stop on anyone's Irish circuit, the bar really is famous, even more so now because it provided a core Ireland memory for this travelling foursome.