- For you
- My board
Are you sure you want to sure you want to leave the feed?
Leave
Oops... something went wrong!
Looking for inspiration? Planning a trip? Or just want to scroll yourself happy? We'll show you an Ireland that's tailor-made for you.
- #Landscapes
- #CultureandHeritage
- #OutdoorActivities
- #Landmarks
Oops, no internet connection
While offline, you can still add items to ‘My Board’. New travel reccomendations will only show up once you’re back online.
See what Ireland has in store for you
Oops, no internet connection
While offline, you can still add items to ‘My Board’. New travel reccomendations will only show up once you’re back online.
My Board
Items without a physical location are not shown in map view.
Looks like your board is empty
Look out for the little heart icon around Ireland.com, simply tap the icon to start adding items to your board!
Board settings
Collection cover image
Visible to people you share your board with
No image
Forgot your password?
Create an account?
Access My Ireland across all of your devices by logging in.
- Log in
- Register
Sign up Not got an account?
Terms of use | Privacy policy
Login Got an account?
Location access
Enable location access to get tailored travel tips for your current location. Your location is only used to show reccomendations.
- View offers and deals nearby you
- Get travel inspiration based on your location
- Local weather warnings and useful travel information
Enable location access
Location access has been enabled. You can disable location access in the website settings of Ireland.com in your browser
Enable location access
Location access on iOS
- 1Open the website settings for this website in your browser
- 2Select Location settings
- 3Choose “Allow
- 1Open the My Ireland website
- 2Select the Icon below
-
- 3Select “Website Settings
-
- 4Change “Location” to “Allow”
-
Notifications
Enable Notifications to get useful travel updates during your trip!
Enable notifications
Notifications have been enabled. You can disable notifications in the website settings of Ireland.com in your browser
Travel times
Tell us when you are going to be travelling Ireland, and we will show you tailored recommendations for the duration of your trip.
- Tips for events happening during your stay
- Helpful travel reminders and updates
Save
You have unsaved changes. Save before leaving?
Changes saved
Privacy
We take your privacy very serious and only ever process your data with your persmission. If possible this is handled anonymously and we will never store your data for longer than is required. For more information on how we handle your personal data please read our Privacy Policy.
Update cookie preference
Remove Data
To securely remove all data associated with your profile please contact our Data Protection Officer.
dpo@tourismireland.com
Reset your Board
This will remove all the items you have previously liked from your board. Please note, you can’t undo this action.
Reset Board
Are you sure you want to reset your board?
This will completely reset your board and all associated data permanently. This cannot be undone.
- Created date 19 July 2023
Logout
My Profile My Trip
Reset password
Privacy
We take your privacy very serious and only ever process your data with your persmission. If possible this is handled anonymously and we will never store your data for longer than is required. For more information on how we handle your personal data please read our Privacy Policy.
Update cookie preference
Delete account
Sorry you’re leaving. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Just a reminder, if you delete your account, you won’t be able to post in Community. And it’s permanent so you can’t “undo” it in the future.
Delete account
My Ireland
Location access
Enable location access to get tailored travel tips for your current location. Your location is only used to show reccomendations.
- View offers and deals nearby you
- Get travel inspiration based on your location
- Local weather warnings and useful travel information
Enable location access
Location access has been enabled. You can disable location access in the website settings of Ireland.com in your browser
Enable location access
Location access on iOS
- 1Open the website settings for this website in your browser
- 2Select Location settings
- 3Choose “Allow
- 1Open the My Ireland website
-
- 2Select the Icon below
-
- 3Select “Website Settings
-
- 4Change “Location” to “Allow”
-
Notifications
Enable Notifications to get useful travel updates during your trip!
Enable notifications
Notifications have been enabled. You can disable notifications in the website settings of Ireland.com in your browser
Travel times
Tell us when you are going to be travelling Ireland, and we will show you tailored recommendations for the duration of your trip.
- Tips for events happening during your stay
- Helpful travel reminders and updates
Save
You have unsaved changes. Save before leaving?
Changes saved
Reset your Board
This will remove all the items you have previously liked from your board. Please note, you can’t undo this action.
Reset Board
Are you sure you want to reset your board?
This will completely reset your board and all associated data permanently. This cannot be undone.
A tragic tale and epic romance; Hollywood’s scriptwriters have nothing on the legendary love story behind Kylemore Abbey
- #CultureandHeritage
- #HistoricIreland
County Galway
Historic landmarks
1hr 40mins from Ireland West Airport
Ireland in your inbox
Sign up to receive free email newsletters from Tourism Ireland, including vacation ideas, insider tips, news, and events.
Long before American singer-songwriter Steve Earle found one roaming the city streets, there was another Galway Girl.
Well, she was originally from County Down,but Margaret Vaughan's tragic tale will be forever linked with Galwayas the inspiration behind Kylemore Abbey’s neo-Gothic Church.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Before there was tragedy, there was romance.
It's 1852. Successful financier, Mitchell Henry and his new bride, Margaret Vaughan, are on honeymoon in Connemara.The couple is enjoying an al fresco lunch in the townland of Kylemore. As they sit, Margaret comments how beautiful the area is, and how wonderful it would be to live there. Thirteen years later a stunning castle retreat, overlooking a glassy Connemara lake, was constructed.
It is said that every seven years a white horse can be seen rising from the waters of the lake at Kylemore Abbey before racing off into the mist.
Did you know
Luxury was too small a word to describe Kylemore Abbey. In his book Irish Country Houses, Terence Reeves-Smyth talks of the castle as being “on a Citizen Kane scale, boasting many splendid reception rooms including a ballroom with a sprung floor, a magnificent staircase, a library, a study and 33 bedrooms...” For almost 10 years, Mitchell, Margaret and their nine children lived here, in what sounds like, from all accounts, a state of bliss.
Healing a broken heart
But in 1874, on a visit to Egypt, Margaret contracted a fever and died. A heartbroken Mitchell couldn’t bear to spend much time in Kylemore and avoided it when possible. His broken heart, however, didn't stop him for building his wife a most elegant memorial.
The neo-Gothic church is a uniquely poignant building nestled closely into the dramatic mountain landscape, it's a lasting testament to the love of Mitchell Henry for his wife, Margaret
Eithne O'Halloran, Kylemore Abbey
Someone well acquainted with Kylemore is Marketing Assistant Eithne O'Halloran. Eithne describes the church as having proportions that are extremely elegant, with uniquely feminine features, such as the female characters featured on the beautiful stained glass windows.
Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, County Galway
L-R: Kylemore Abbey, with Pollacapall Lough in the foreground; the neo-gothic church in the grounds; Kylemore Abbey walled garden; reception room in Kylemore Abbey
A beautiful love story
Few visitors know the story of Kylemore and the reason it was built, but it’s dramatic stuff. For Mitchell, Kylemore Abbey – a labour of love – turned overnight into a reminder of the woman he had lost. His story, and Kylemore’s, is a tale of love to rival any blockbuster Hollywood romance.
Yet, as any good writer will know, every story must have its end. Mitchell and Margaret’s came when he passed away in 1910, joining his wife in the small mausoleum that is tucked beside the church at Kylemore.
And there they stay. Happily ever after.
County Galway highlights
Don't miss these things to see and do
Map View Card View
Back to list Read more
