Kylemore Abbey is a magnificent miniature cathedral in Connemara, County Galway. Built by a husband in tribute to his late wife, the cathedral is a veritable treasure trove of Gothic architecture… It’s part of a larger structure, Kylemore Castle, an impressive Victorian castle open to the public…
Kylemore Abbey – Felipe Garcia – cc
It all began in 1868, when wealthy landowner Henri Mitchell decided to build an imposing Victorian château on the shores of Kylemore Lake, complete with Benedictine abbey and 3-hectare garden. He gave the task to architect John Fuller, and asked him to hurry up and surprise his wife, Margaret Mitchell.
In November 1874, Mitchell Henry and his family took a trip to Egypt. Unfortunately, his wife Margaret contracted dysentery and died on December 4, and Henri Mitchell had her body repatriated to Kylemore.
Deeply saddened by the loss of his wife, Henri Mitchell asked his architect to change the plans for the abbey under construction, to make it even more extraordinary. For him, this construction must be a real tribute to his wife’s memory, even if it means going overboard. It’s obvious to him: this abbey will look like a miniature cathedral.
He stopped at nothing for this construction, importing the finest marble (pink, green, ochre, etc.) and calling on the finest craftsmen to create magnificent stained glass windows.
At the same time, Henri Mitchell asked his architect to build a mausoleum not far from the Abbey to house his wife’s body, a place he would return to when she died.
On September 21, 1892, Henri Mitchell tragically lost his daughter Geraldine. She drowns in Kylemore Lake, leaving a devastated father behind.
Henri Mitchell no longer had the heart to live in this large, empty château, which brought back so many good and bad memories.
This new death, along with financial difficulties, led Mitchell Henry to sell Kylemore Castle and its estate. Marked by these painful events, he decided to leave Kylemore.
In order to finance the upkeep of the site, the sisters have reopened the château and abbey to the public, thus ensuring the site’s longevity.
To enter the Kylemore site, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee of €13 per person. You’ll then have access to the castle tour, followed by a short footpath to the right of the building, leading to Kylemore Abbey. As you pass by, you’ll come upon the mausoleum where the Mitchells are laid to rest.
Entrance to the abbey is free, and you can discover all the architectural beauty of this cathedral on a reduced scale. Admire the stained glass windows, the different marbles used for the columns supporting the nave, and the small cemetery outside the abbey, where the Benedictine nuns who once lived here are laid to rest.
If you’ve thoroughly enjoyed your visit, don’t hesitate to extend it with a visit to the wonderful Kylemore Garden, accessible by a small bus that runs every 30 minutes (the price of the round trip is included in your entrance fee). The program includes greenhouses, vegetable gardens and Victorian gardens planted with trees: a true marvel!
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