Kylemore Abbey
| County: | Co. Galway |
| Tel: | 095-52001 |
| Fax: | 095-52037 |
| Email: | info@kylemoreabbeytourism.ie |
Set in a dramatic landscape, Kylemore is an ideal destination for a day out. Originally built as a castle in 1867 as a romantic gift, Kylemore is steeped in history and tales of tragedy and romance, engineering initiatives, model farms, royal visits, spirituality and education. Home to Ireland's only Benedictine community of nuns since 1920, this 1000 acre estate has much to offer.
Experience the Victorian atmostphere of the restored rooms of the Abbey, miniature Gothic Church and Head Gardener's House. There are many nature trails, woodland and lakeshore walks which are waiting to be discovered. Explore the magical 6 acre Victorian walled garden where ony Victorian varities of flowers and vegetables are grown. Vegetables and herbs from the garden are used in our café where we offer traditional home cooked food made to the recipes of the Benedictine nuns. The tea house by the walled garden is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views over the Connemara National Park.
General Information
| Address: | Kylemore, Connemara, Co. Galway |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 095-52001 |
| Fax: | 095-52037 |
| Email: | info@kylemoreabbeytourism.ie |
| Website: | http://www.kylemoreabbeytourism.ie/ |
| Location: | 1 Hour from Galway on N59 to Clifden, turn right after Recess |
| Season: | All Year, 7 days a week. Contact us for festive opening hours |
| Open Times: | Nov-Feb: 10.00-16.30 Mar-Jun: 9.00-18.00 Jul-Aug: 9.00-19.00 |
| Tours: | Regular tours of the Abbey & Walled Garden during summer. Off season tours possible for groups |
| Booking Contact: | 095-52001 / bookings@kylemoretourism.ie |
| Manager: | Isabelle Pitorre |
| Average Visit Length: | 1.5 - 3 hours |
| Entrance Fees: |
Adult: €12.50 Senior: €10.00 Student: €8.50 Child (U11): Free Group 10+ €8.00pp Family tickets also available |
| Restaurant: | Restaurant serving home-cooked food. Open All Year |
| Picnic Area: | Yes |
| Shop: | Wide range of quality Irish crafted goods, crystal, knitwear, fashion. |
| Information Guide: | English, Irish, French, German, Italian & Spanish |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Partial access |
| Other: | http://www.facebook.com/HeritageIsland?ref=ts#!/pages/Kylemore-Abbey-Victorian-Walled-Gardens/101885946358?ref=sgm |
The Kylemore Benedictine Nuns to sing Latin Vespers in Miniature Cathedral
The ancient motto of the Benedictine Order is 'Ora et Labora', meaning 'pray and work'. In all monasteries of the order, sung daily prayer forms the centre of the life of the community. The prayer is partly in Latin, the traditional language of the order and of the Roman Liturgy, and partly in English. 'Vespers' or 'Evensong' is the traditional prayer-time towards the end of the day. On Sundays, Kylemore Abbey celebrates mass in the Nuns' Chapel in the Abbey at 11.30am and Vespers in the Gothic Church at 3.00pm. Any Visitors who wish to join these prayer times are welcome to do so.
Gardens
The Victorian Walled Garden, situated 1.6 km (1 mile) from the Abbey, is 3.4 hectares (8.5 acres) in extent, 2.4 hectares (6 acres) of which are completely enclosed by a brick and limestone wall. The garden was constructed at the same time at the Castle and was laid out by the head gardener, James Garnier. The glasshouses could be walked through from end to end and acted as a winter garden for the ladies on wet days. Two of the glasshouses have recently been restored, along with the Head Gardener’s House and workman’s Bothy. The garden provided the flowers, fruits and vegetables for the Henry family. However, under the ownership of the Duke and Duchess of Manchester and Ernest Fawke, it went into decline. Nuns re-employed a Head Gardener until the 1940s. In the 1950s, Sr. Benedict took charge and kept the garden working for as long as was financially possible. In time, the flower garden became a wilderness and the glasshouses collapsed, leaving only their brick base. The Garden, which is still under restoration, was re-opened by the nuns in 2000.
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