Kylemore Castle is an imposing Irish castle built near Letterfrack in Connemara… Built in 1868 in an idyllic setting, Kylemore Castle comes straight out of a dream, and was built on the shores of a lake, surrounded by mountains and forest… A truly enchanting building, a must-see! A must-do in Ireland!
Kylemore castle – © Dawid
Built in 1868 by architect John Fuller in neo-classical style, the castle was a gift fromHenri Mitchell, a wealthy Liverpool merchant, for his wife Margaret.
The castle cost over £29,000 and took 4 years to build. Thus, in 1872, the estate covered more than 400 hectares and included the following:
In November 1874, Henry and his family set off on a trip to Egypt. Unfortunately, Margaret contracted dysentery and died on December 4… Overcome with grief, Henri Mitchell had his body repatriated to Kylemore.
Now a widower, Henri Mitchell decided to change the abbey’s plans, turning it into a miniature cathedral in memory of his wife. This cathedral was then called“Gothic Church” or“Kylemore Abbey“. This architectural marvel was complemented by the construction of a mausoleum close to the abbey, where he buried his wife’s body, specifying that he wished to be buried next to her when she died.
On September 21, 1892, one of Mitchell Henry’s daughters, Geraldine, dramatically drowned on a walk around Kylemore. 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.
Kylemore Abbey – Felipe Garcia – cc
Sold, then abandoned until 1920, Château de Kylemore was finally taken over by Benedictine nuns…
They decided to create a Catholic school for 180 girls. Over the years, the school has become particularly renowned, attracting families from all over Ireland to introduce their children to the excellence of their teaching.
At the same time, the sisters signed agreements with the State of Ireland to preserve the site… To help finance restoration and maintenance work, the château is open to visitors for €7 per person, allowing them to visit some of the château’s rooms, as well as explore the garden and abbey…
The sisters also market their own homemade cakes to tourists, as well as flowers and other produce from their life at Kylemore, to ensure the site’s continued existence.
Kylemore Castle – © serfeo
The château entrance gives access to just 4 of the 66 rooms…
(The remainder is occupied by the Sisters for their private apartments, as well as for the girls’ high school they run).
Don’t worry, there’s still enough to see to keep you from getting frustrated! You can admire the following pieces:
Each room is decorated in keeping with Victorian traditions, and you’ll be able to admire the beauty of the furniture, the carpets and the period crockery, beautifully displayed.
If you’ve enjoyed your visit and would like to see more, there’s nothing left to do but visit the château’s gardens, which cover more than 3 hectares. The garden features numerous greenhouses where the sisters grow tasty fruits and vegetables… You can also admire the beauty of French-style gardens, cleverly structured by colorful hedges of exceptional flowers.
And if you’ve enjoyed your visit more, don’t forget to visit Kylemore Abbey, a beautiful Benedictine abbey 800 meters from the castle (a small shuttle bus links the gardens to the castle and abbey). And why deprive yourself? These visits are included in the admission ticket!
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