Kylemore Abbey is open year-round but come spring, the Benedictine nuns who run the popular attraction gear up for the busy tourist season, inviting visitors to the incredible Connemara location that has much to offer, including a signature visitor experience called “From Generation to Generation.”
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The interactive exhibit, completed in 2019, was part of a larger renovation project, which included the addition of four authentically refurbished rooms.
It brings to life the stories of the people who have lived and worked at Kylemore Abbey through a series of historical photographs, audio-visual presentations, as well as displays of artifacts from the Kylemore archive, including historical costumes and more.
The History of Kylemore Abbey
The story of the abbey, which is about an hour and 15-minutes from Galway City, began with Englishman Mitchell Henry and his wife, Margaret Vaughan Henry.
In the mid-1800s, Henry bought what was then a hunting lodge as an elaborate token of the love he had for his wife and proceeded to turn it into the castle that can be seen today.
When complete, the beautiful Kylemore had all the conveniences of the Victorian Age, with 33 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 sitting rooms, a ballroom, a billiard room, a library, study, school room, smoking room, gun room, and various offices and living areas for the domestic staff.
What Visitors Can Expect to See at Kylemore
The following restored rooms are open to visitors.
Mitchell Henry’s Library and Study – here, visitors can learn about the Henry couple and their lives at Kylemore Abbey.
The room includes speaking portraits and hidden audio and visual effects that enhance the visitor experience.
Inner Hall and Saloon Hall – the highlight of this area of the house is the grand staircase.
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Drawing Room – visitors can marvel at the fine Italian marble fireplace and hand-stenciled wallpapers that have been refurbished to capture the original spirit and ambiance of Kylemore Abbey.
The room also contains the only portrait of Margaret Henry as well as one of her ball dresses from the period.
Morning Room – this was where the ladies read, sewed, and entertained their guests during the day. In this room, visitors can learn about daily life at Kylemore, as well as the hobbies, trials, and achievements of the Henry children.
Dining Room – the dining room walls are lined with black and gold silks, as they were during the castle’s heyday, and the table, shown below, is laid as if guests are about to arrive.
Ante Room – the Ante Room, which leads visitors between the Dining Room and the inner hallways of the home, introduces visitors to the many guests that were entertained at Kylemore, including the Duke and Duchess of Manchester and others.
The Gallery Saloon Hall – This is where the former residents of Kylemore met for drinks before dinner.
Other Attractions at the Abbey
There is so much more to see at Kylemore Abbey.
Its other attractions include a beautiful Victorian walled garden, once compared to Kew Gardens in London, a neo-Gothic church built in the style of a 14th-century chapel and often described as a “cathedral in miniature,” as well as a mausoleum, the final resting place of the Henrys.
Visitors also have the opportunity to explore its many walks and trails, including the Dawros River Walk, the Horsechesnut Loop, and the Tree Trail.
The Sruffaunduff Waterfall is one of the estate’s largest waterfalls that Mitchell Henry enjoyed when he lived there.
The abbey has various opening times throughout the year depending on the season. Visit the website for more information. It is closed Dc. 24, 25 & 26.
Tickets must be booked online