Welcome to Kylemore Abbey. The nuns here know how to pick a location! If money were no option for me I would have picked the exact same location nestled in to the west of Ireland at the base of a magnificent mountain range on the edge of a peaceful lake. The windy road that leads to the abbey is one of those roads that looks like it should take you about 20-30 minutes to get there on a map and it realistically takes you 3-4 hours of winding and turning and slowing for sheep. But the drive is worth it.
The abbey, which the Benedictine nuns purchased after fleeing Belgium in WWI, is partially open for tours. The castle-turned-abbey was originally built in 1867 by a wealthy doctor with seventy rooms and 40,000 square feet. It can be followed by a nice nature walk along the lake, a visit to the Gothic Cathedral (which had live gospel singing while we happen to be there), the original family mausoleum, a lovely waterfall, and a modern art installation. A short bus ride will take you to the victorian walled gardens and should not be missed! When you are good and tired visit the store for something to eat and to purchase some Kylemore Abbey Benedictine Nun made ceramics or other local art in support of the abbey.
Unusual Irish Sheep
Sweet Art Installation
Walled Gardens
One of the original buildings
Peat!
View of the abbey from the lake
For more Irish ramblings click here…
Bulldog Travels / Photos By Jenny 
Gorgeous pics!!! And the gothic cathedral is amazing!
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Looks good, I especially like the blue door.
We are going to Ireland again next year and currently deciding exactly where to go. This could help!
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It’s a beautiful place for sure. Have you decided which region?
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The choice is between Connemara and the north-west or Cork and the south. It doesn’t really matter, we will do one in 2016 and the other the following year.
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I have some more posts coming on kinsale later. It’s amazing down there. Tends to be warmer and drier in the south if that makes any difference in the time of your travel.
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We will visit in June. Lucky two years running with the weather so looking for the hat-trick!
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I would recomend staying in or near Kinsale when you are in the South. It is much more charming than Cork but very close. There are some lovely, albeit windy and slow, roads both east and west along the coast that are a must see. The road in the direction of Clonikilty will put you near Drombeg Stone Circle which has a lovely view. You must go here. https://bulldogtravels.com/2014/10/31/drombeg-stone-circle-kinsale-ireland/
Having said that I could probably spend a week just in and around Kinsale it is so lovely.
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Thanks, that is really helpful! There are 4 of us and we are split 50/50 at the moment. Your recommendation might swing it towards the south!
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I would say both areas are equally beautiful. It’s hard to say which one to visit. When you decide let me know and I can give you some more tips. In the meantime I have more posts coming about the west and south as soon as my fingers can make it happen. I try to post twice a week when the stars align… 😉
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Looks gorgeous – big fan of the sheep sculptures and ‘giant zombie’ fingers too!
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I agree. What’s not to like,right?
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Great shot across the pond
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Thanks!
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Went there years ago and forgotten just how lovely it is – thank you for the reminder!! Especially love the sheep.
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I thought those little sheep were funny. I’m glad you did too. Do you remember the drive out there being pretty long and full of sheep?
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It’s a long time ago, we did so little research and seemed to just stumble upon the place – great thing to stumble on!!! But I do remember little country lanes and hardly any traffic. We have to go back now!!!
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Ireland is so wonderful and there is so much to see. I could go back a hundred times and still enjoy it.
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I so enjoy the tour! Great photos, the last one is exquisite! 🙂
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Those sheep are the cutest! Could I request one as a souvenir? 🙂
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They would look cute in anyone’s garden!
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Wow, such a beautiful place along with some beautiful photography!
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Thanks! Thanks for stopping by and for the kind comment. It’s easy to take beautiful photos in such a pretty place.
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Oh my, that Abbey is gorgeous! Just like a scene out of a fairytale. Not to mention those gardens! I’m a sucker for spending an afternoon wandering through beautiful gardens, I’m sure I would love this one 🙂
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Thanks for the comment and for the visit. I hope to have you stop by in the future!
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I LOVE GOTHIC CATHEDRALS!!! I wanna live there so bad 🙂
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You and me both Jess! Thanks for the comment. Hope you visit again soon.
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Seems so out of this world!!
Great snaps these as you have captured the beauty of it very nicely.
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Oh, what a gorgeous building. I could live there……well maybe in a 3-bedroomed apartment there. 🙂 Love the cute sheep, and your final photo is wonderful.
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Thank you! It was so peaceful and such a pretty location. I could totally live there too.
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]Nice post. We’re hopefully going to be heading to Ireland next month for the first time, and your photos are definitely making me look forward to it! How long did you spend up that way (and was it long enough?)
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We just spent the day in Connemara and it wasn’t enough. At least another day or two would be best. Which regions are you focusing on?
Check out https://bulldogtravels.com/category/ireland/ for more on my Ireland travels.
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Whoa, a real live “Downton Abbey”!! The old rich really knew how to enjoy life, eh! And nuns know a good thing when they see it…
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Yes and yes!
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I love your stories; so easy to read and so interesting. OMG your photos are fabulous and I want to go to visit the Abbey now. It is absolutely beautiful and those gardens…Love the thought of there being live gospel.
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Thank you so much! It’s a special place for sure!
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This is such a breathtaking place. It is definitely THE place to visit if I get the chance to go to Ireland. So love it!
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It’s is definitely worth a visit for sure!
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Wow! The gardens are spectacular! I really love them.
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Thank you. They are a really beautiful specimen for sure! Very peaceful and lovely.
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Absolutely gorgeous. I love the sheep and fingers, amongst other things.
And your photos are very good.
(thumbs up emoticon)
🙂
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Thank you! It’s easy to do at a place like this!
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Not that easy my friend. The subjects are good, but you need a good eye.
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Thanks! ☺️
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This abbey and gardens are really stunning. Great photos! Thanks for including the information and history of the place, too.
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Thanks. Glad you liked it. I wish I could live there!
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Fantastic photos! That Catle looks lovely & so pretty from the outside too! Lovely cool photos 🙂
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Thank you!
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Thanks!
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Oh, this is beautiful! I’ve been meaning to visit Kylemore Abbey for years, I really should bump it up my “to visit” list! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos! 😀
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Glad you are enjoying them! It’s a pretty area to visit for sure! Cong and ashford castle are nearby too.
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Nice! Looks like I need to start booking myself some day trips… 😀
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That is truly an impressive building, unusual colour stone, I suspect from a local quarry.
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I would certainly think so because it is very remote. The architect outdid himself on this one. It is so romantic and lovely and the setting only makes it more lovely. Thanks for the comment. So happy to have you for a visit.
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Your welcome, I’d never ever considered going to Ireland before, but those picture may have changed my mind.
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You might want to check out some of the other posts I have done on Ireland then…you will book the next flight to Dublin!
https://bulldogtravels.com/category/ireland/
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checking them now.
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Omg all the photos are so stunning..it made me feel that I’m actually in Ireland!! Happy to be connected with you 😊
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Thank you thank you thank you!
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😊
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It’s just such a beautiful abbey, isn’t it!? It’s always quite the adventure to explore Ireland:)
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Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often and commented:
This is Bulldog Travels!!
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Love the pics. A wonderful memory. I was lucky enough to visit Kylemore Abbey in 2003. Thanks for taking me back.
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You are so welcome. Thanks for he comment.
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Beautiful but I’m glad I don’t have to clean it.
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Great point!
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Beautiful! This is on my list of things to visit next time in Ireland.
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Please do! You won’t be disappointed and be sure to let me know how you liked it.
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I will! My list is now quite long, but
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Beautiful, indeed!😊
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