KYLEMORE ABBEY

Kylemore Abbey is perhaps the most famous of all abbeys in the west of Ireland, as it’s picturesque setting leads itself as the perfect photo opportunity. The abbey is a Benedictine monastery which was founded by Belgium Benedictine nuns who fled to Ireland from the trouble of World War I in 1920.

It is built on the grounds of Kylemore Castle which was built as a private home for the family of Mitchell Henry, a wealthy doctor from London. Apart from building the castle, he also set about building other buildings on the grounds which included a Gothic cathedral and a family mausoleum containing the bodies of Margaret Henry, Mitchell Henry and a great grand-nephew.

The estate later traded hands with the Duke and Duchess of Manchester before being sold to the Benedictine nuns. The abbey promoted education and became an international boarding school and day school for girls. However, it was forced to close in June 2010.