Immerse yourself in nature at Kylemore Abbey in autumn 2023
Autumn at Kylemore in Connemara đ
“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall⊔ Oscar Wilde
October and November are wonderful months to explore Connemara and to appreciate the transformation of the landscape from the deep greens of summer to the rich golden red and orange colours of autumn. Few locations provide a better place to immerse yourself in the Connemara landscape than Kylemore Abbey. The name âKylemoreâ derives from the Irish âAn Choill MhĂłrâ meaning the big woodland. The site of the castle was a large oak forest which once covered the area the castle. Mitchell Henry, the original owner of Kylemore Abbey, set about recreating the Choill MhĂłr by planting over 300,000 trees and transforming the barren boggy landscape back into woodland. His legacy is evident to this day.
Images © Kylemore Abbey
The main avenue through the estate has a multitude of wonderful specimens of ornamental trees. You can follow a tree trail and learn about the different species present. As there is such a mix of trees, autumn can be very beautiful time to visit with a wonderful mix of colours along the avenue. There are extensive walks through the woodland providing a great opportunity to see the area in rich autumn colours.
Halloween at Kylemore Abbey đ
Each year, over the Halloween bank holiday weekend, Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens host a Samhain celebration with traditional Connemara and Irish cultural activities. The estate is a great place for families to learn about the Irish traditions of the season, such as making traditional Kylemore barmbrack and encountering the ancient Irish pĂșca or ghost of Samhain, who are all part of the estate’s Halloween celebrations.
About Kylemore Abbey
Nestled into the Connemara countryside the reflection of abbey on Kylemore lake gives it a fairytale aura. The abbey has a fascinating history. While honeymooning in Ireland, Mitchell and Margaret Henry dreamed about living in that area and 10 years later they returned and purchased Kylemore Lodge and surrounding lands with Mitchell’s inheritance. The building of Kylemore Castle was completed on the site in 1871 and the estate was developed. Mitchell brought work and later, a school, to an area that had been devastated by the Great Irish Famine.
After the deaths of his wife and daughter, Mitchell sold Kylemore to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester in 1903. In 1920, Kylemore was purchased by the Benedictine Nuns, who came Galway to Ireland after their abbey in Ypres, Belgium was destroyed in World War 1. They converted it into an abbey and opened a boarding school for girls. The community restored the building, Gothic church and Victorian Walled Garden. The school closed in June 2010 but the Benedictine Nuns still live here and run a farm, make handicrafts and lend the place its unique spirituality and tranquility. Visitors can enjoy walks in the woods and by the lake, see the wonderful buildings and gardens and browse in the craft shop. Kylemore Abbey is open all year round, seven days a week. Admission fees vary.
Kylemore Abbey and Gardens
Kylemore, Connemara, Co. Galway
095-41146
www.kylemoreabbey.com
Kylemore Abbey map
Contact
Tel: +353 95 52001
Email: [email protected]
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