Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden

The most visited tourist attraction in the West of Ireland, Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden is the perfect place to spend the day.

Barnacles Hostel has teamed up with Kylemore Abbey to offer special discount rates which are only available to Barnacle’s guests.

History, Romance & Tragedy

The story begins when Mitchell Henry and his new bride Margaret honeymooned at Kylemore. Falling in love with the beauty of the Connemara wilderness, Mitchell returned o Kylemore and purchased the 15,0000 acre estate as romantic gift for his wife and created one of Ireland’s finest and most iconic castles. Discover the story of Kylemore which includes tales of romance, tragedy and loss. Learn how the castle became the home of the Benedictine order who returned o Ireland in 1920 after pending over 100 years in Belgium. Marvel at the amazing architectural and engineering eats employed to create a castle in the wilderness in the late 1800s. See Banana trees and vines growing as they did in 1870 in the restored glass houses of the walled gardens. Listen to the power of the mountain stream which has been harnessed to provide electricity to the estate since 1890. Experience the awe and amazement felt by all who visit this spectacular place of inspiration.

Benedictine Community

Kylemore is home to a community of nuns of the Benedictine Order who settled here in 1920 after their abbey in Ypres, Belgium was destroyed in World War 1 . Their fascinating story spans over 40 years. The Benedictine Community have made important contributions to Kylemore from opening a highly respected boarding school to renovating the beautiful Victorian Walled Garden and Gothic Church. Both local people and those from further a field now have a wonderful treasure to admire and enjoy. Today, the community devote themselves to the monastic life of prayer and work “ora et labora” at Kylemore. Although the school closed in 2010, the community still run their farm on the state and reside at the abbey.

Gothic Church

Margaret Henry died tragically in 1874 in Egypt, only 4 years after the castle was built. Mitchell built the Gothic Church as a memorial to his beloved wife. Described as “cathedral in miniature” scale and delicately carved Caen sandstone interior is a wonder to behold. Uniquely its internal columns are made of marble from the four provinces of Ireland which are beautifully set against the cream sandstone walls.

Victorian Walled Garden

Six acres of award-winning formal and kitchen gardens wait your discovery. Kylemore Victorian Walled Garden is the only formal garden in Ireland created in a bog landscape. It uniquely uses only plants and flowers which date from Victorian times. Visit the restored head gardener’s house, garden boys ’ bothy and glass houses. The garden can be reached by woodland walks or by a shuttle bus. Experience the fresh Connemara air while winding through the magical Victorian Walled Garden. Each season rings exciting changes with a new array of colours, forms and cents. Relax on one of the secluded benches and enjoy the beauty and tranquility f one of Ireland’s most stunning landscapes. Listen to the sounds of the mountain stream and the chorus song of the native birds.