View of Kylemore Abbey
The Abbey was originally built as a castle on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul in 1867 by Mitchell Henry, son of a Manchester cotton merchant, as a romantic gift for his wife Margaret.
Situated at the base of Druchruach Mountain (1,736ft) it is considered one of Ireland’s most romantic buildings.
Fireplace Mantel in Kylemore Abbey
Construction of the castle required the employment of one hundred men per day for four years and costs reached nearly £29,000.
The final result covered approximately 40,000 square feet with over 70 rooms.
In 1903, Mitchell Henry sold the Castle to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester who lived there financed by the Duchess’ wealthy father Eugene Zimmerman.
The property was heavily mortgaged and upon the death of Zimmerman in 1914, the Castle was taken over by a London banker by Ernest Fawke.
Kylemore became an Abbey in 1920 and is the oldest Benedictine Abbey in Ireland (189 years).
In recent years it was run as a prestigious international boarding school as well as a day school for local girls.