Kylemore Abbey is an iconic Irish attraction steeped in history, mythology, and romance. Once built as a homage to love and family, for the past 100 years Kylemore Abbey has served as the home of Benedictine nuns. Today, it’s a favourite destination among locals and tourists.
Spread over 1,000 acres, the Kylemore estate is replete with gardens, woodlands, and breathtaking architecture. Whether you tour the abbey or walk its trails, Kylemore is ideal for history buffs, nature lovers, and families.
We’ve created this thorough guide to Kylemore Abbey, breaking down all you can expect to see and do at the estate. As a treasured destination on our Day Trips from Galway City, we are certain that Kylemore Abbey will leave you with lasting memories. If you have any questions about our West Coast of Ireland tours, feel free to get in touch with our team.
Before it was an abbey, Kylemore was a castle. It was built in 1868 by Mitchell Henry for his wife Margaret and their growing family, an immense gesture of love. However, Margaret’s time here was cut short after she died of illness in Cairo in 1874. Her remains were transported back to Kylemore where she was laid to rest in a mausoleum, and Mitchell later built a neo-Gothic church in her honour.
After the Henry family left the residence, the Duke and Duchess of Manchester moved in for a brief period. In 1920, the castle was transformed into an abbey as the Benedictine nuns made it their home. They have lived at Kylemore Abbey ever since, where they have tended to its magnificent gardens and even once ran a school.
From walking in the woodlands to exploring the historic rooms of the former castle, there are plenty of things to see and do at Kylemore Abbey. You can embark on a self-guided tour of the abbey, where you can explore restored rooms that offer a journey back in time. The new Visitor Experience offers modern exhibits and insight into the heritage of the abbey, with artefacts, costumes, and photographs on display.
While the abbey interiors are plush, the gardens of Kylemore are equally beguiling and lush. Divided into two sections, the Victorian Walled Garden offers six acres of abundance. On the eastern half of the garden, you’ll find glasshouses and the formal flower garden with its beautifully manicured displays. On the western side, visitors can encounter fruit trees, herb gardens, and vegetable gardens, where unique Victorian vegetables are grown.
Another beautiful attraction on the estate is the neo-Gothic church Mitchell built for his late wife. Known as a “Cathedral in Miniature”, the church serves as the venue for masses, musical performances, and other events. Near the church, you can see the mausoleum where both Mitchell and Margaret were laid to rest.
There are a number of trails throughout the estate, allowing you to experience its natural beauty. From five-minute strolls through woodland to leisurely walks beside the Dawros River and a trail running through the trees, you’ll be immersed in a rich ecosystem while learning about Irish folklore. You can also book a private hike in advance to visit the Sacred Heart Statue and admire cascading waterfalls.
While a Benedictine Monastery may not seem like a place for kids, Kylemore Abbey has plenty of activities to keep children entertained! Along nature walks, fun facts will have children enthralled as they discover nature and pass by areas like the pony paddock, where they can meet Connemara ponies and foals. Near the Garden Tea House, there is a wild play area for kids to live out their fairy tales and find magic, as well as a pigsty with the resident Kune Kune pigs.
One popular activity for children is the History Hunter experience, where they can play detective and uncover secrets throughout the rooms of the abbey and in the gardens and woodlands. Not to be missed is the “Ironing Stone”, which was said to be used by a giant to iron her clothes. Now, kids can make their wish by throwing a pebble behind them over the stone!
With so much to explore at Kylemore Abbey, you’ll undoubtedly work up an appetite. Luckily there are plenty of dining options available. At the Kylemore Kitchen, you can take your pick from a buffet of home-style meals — make sure you grab a slice of the legendary Kylemore apple pie!
At the Garden Tea House, sip on delectable brews and snack on baked goods while admiring the views of Connemara National Park. Alternatively, you can grab some coffee and sandwiches from the food trucks on the estate and have a picnic in the sunshine.
When your tour of Kylemore Abbey draws to a close, make sure to stop by the Craft and Design Shop before you go. Here, you’ll find a range of gifts and souvenirs, including artisanal chocolates and soaps handmade by the Benedictine nuns.
As much as you may want to, you unfortunately cannot stay inside the old-world rooms of Kylemore Abbey. If you would like to base yourself in the area, there are plenty of other worthy accommodation options.
A short drive from the abbey is the Kylemore Pass Hotel, which offers stunning views of the valley.
Should you be looking for a rustic stay, the Connemara Caravan and Camping Park is ideally situated on Lettergesh Beach with mountains towering behind it. This is certainly the place to immerse yourself in nature.
If you’re looking for a bit of luxury, you can’t go wrong with the Rosleague Manor Hotel in Letterfrack. This 4-star regency hotel is decked out with antique furnishings and also offers a fine dining experience at its restaurant.
(Source: Rosleague Manor Hotel)
Kylemore Abbey is located beneath the spectacular mountains of Connemara National Park. Covering nearly 5,000 acres, the national park now incorporates land that once belonged to the Kylemore estate. It has four main trails that cross a diversity of terrain and is home to some of the mountains that form the Twelve Bens range. This includes Benbaun, the highest peak in County Galway. If you join our Connemara National Park and Diamond Hill Day Tour, you can hike these mountains yourself!
Not to be missed is Killary Fjord, known as Ireland’s only fjord. Forming a natural border between Mayo and Galway, the fjord is best experienced with a boat tour, where you can sail along the tranquil waters and be awed by the mountain scenery.
In Connemara, you’ll also find a number of quaint Irish towns. On the banks of the Killary Fjord, the village of Leenane offers a glimpse into rural Irish life, with its sheep farms, wool centre museum, and traditional pubs. At the opposite end of Kylemore Abbey, the town of Letterfrack serves as the gateway to Connemara. Here, you can enjoy oyster tastings and farm experiences, explore the wild beaches, or browse the local independent bookstores.
As part of our Connemara and Kylemore Abbey Full-Day Tour from Galway, you can explore many of these attractions and more for a fully-fledged experience of this corner of Ireland. If you’re based in Dublin, we also offer our Dublin to Galway City, Connemara and Kylemore Abbey Full Day Tour.
Kylemore Abbey is, without a doubt, a jewel in the crown of Ireland’s West Coast. Visiting here alongside the Connemara National Park gives you insight into the cultural richness and natural abundance of Ireland. To see even more of the West Coast, from the Cliffs of Moher to the Aran Islands, browse our full range of Day Tours from Galway and Day Tours from Dublin. And if you have any questions for us about our one-of-a-kind excursions, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
