Kylemore Abbey Garden, Connemara, Ireland
Most people are fascinated by places with a lot of history and lore attached to them. Who can blame them? There is something about the stories of the past that universally appeal to almost all of us. This is one of the many charms of Kylemore Abbey Garden in Ireland.
Image from flickr
Drive along the N59 between the towns of Clifden and Westport to get there. It is located in Galway County. By air, the closest airports to the abbey are Shannon Airport and Knock Airport. Both airports have buses that can take you to the Galway Bus Station; you can take another bus to Clifden and walk no more than 200 meters to reach the abbey. For tourists who also want to explore other areas, it is best to take advantage of the hop-on hop-off bus service offered by some companies like Love Connemara Tours.
There are also day tours that include Kylemore Abbey Garden; some tour companies that offer this service are Healy’s Galway Bus Tours, Lally Tours, Galway Tour Company and Wild Atlantic Way Day Tours.
Image from pixabay
Admission times may differ depending on the month that you book your visit, so it is best to always check the Kylemore Abbey website. Before booking, the website will display the times they operate. Ticket prices for adults are at 13 euros, while tickets for senior citizens, students, and children are offered at lower prices. Booking reservations online also gets you a 10% discount and it is also cheaper if you buy family passes or group tickets.
Once in Kylemore Abbey Garden, spend time inside the abbey itself. Benedictine nuns reside in the abbey but there are a lot of rooms that are open to the public such as the inner and saloon hall, the drawing room, the morning room, and the dining room. There are history talks that happen daily at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM which will help you appreciate the abbey better.
Image from flickr
Outside the abbey, you will find the Victorian Walled Garden with its flowers, glass houses, herb garden, streams, shrubs, and woodland. Most tourists fall in love with the garden as much as they do with the abbey. Walking along its foot paths gives tourists a relaxing and refreshing feeling.
Image from flickr
Another building in the estate is the neo-Gothic church that was built in memory of Mitchell Henry’s wife. Every now and then, musical performances are held in the church. The mausoleum of Henry and Margaret Mitchell can also be found in the grounds of the estate. Other activities that visitors to the abbey enjoy are dining and shopping. The Kylemore Abbey Gift Shop sells souvenirs that you can take with you. They are also well-known both for the food and pastries you can find in Mitchells’ Café, Express Coffee Shop and Tea House. Group and private hikes in the surrounding area of the abbey are also offered and can be reserved via the visitor center or online.
For a quiet adventure that will leave you full both in body and soul, make sure to visit Kylemore Abbey Garden.
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