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.

For more Irish ramblings click here…