May 13, 2025
Today’s trip took us through winding roads and changing scenery as we went into the hills for two special destinations. The first was Kylemore Abbey, located just over one hour from Galway City. Kylemore Castle was built in the late 1800s by Mitchell Henry MP, a wealthy businessman, and liberal politician. Inspired by his love for his wife Margaret, and his hopes for his beloved Ireland, Henry created an estate boasting ‘all the innovations of the modern age’. An enlightened landlord and vocal advocate of the Irish people, Henry poured his life’s energy into creating an estate that would showcase what could be achieved in the remote wilds of Connemara. Today Kylemore Abbey is owned and run by the Benedictine community who have been in residence here since 1920.
To get there we had to navigate some narrow roads with sheep grazing right up to the asphalt.
After that, we went to see Ashford Castle, where we had reservations for lunch in one of their dining rooms. Ashford Castle has stood on the shores of Lough Corrib for over 800 years. Once home to the Guinness family and today a multi-generational resort, Ashford Castle is a five-star hotel with gourmet dining.
