Interesting Buildings

Kylemore Castle/ Abbey

The Kylemore Abbey (53.561667, -9.888056) is currently a Benedictine Abbey/Nunnery purchased in 1920 to house Benedictine nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.  Built in 1867 and lived in as a private residence for many years by Mitchel Henry and his family.  It was later sold to the Duke and Dutchess of Manchester, who ultimately were forced to sell it to settle gambling debts.  The tour guide currently working within the Abbey explained that the Duke may have lost it directly in a poker game.  Some of the interesting features about this abbey are the carved wood trim, the elegant woodwork, and the ornate archways inside.

Kylemore's "mini" Cathedral

On the Kylemore grounds is a small, private Gothic-style stone chapel originally built for the Henry family and servants.  It was designed by James Frankin Fuller who also designed Kylemore Abbey and the Ashford Castle in Cong.  This was intended to be a Gothic cathedral in miniature and is trimmed with many types of marble, adorned with many Gothic features including vaulted ceilings and has exquisite arch topped stained glass windows.  It now serves the nuns for mass regularly as well as a popular tourist stop.