Well for starters the boring stuff:
This week wasn't really eventful school wise. Same old same. I did finally get into that Journalism class, but the teacher is quite mean so I kind of wish I had just redone my schedule at NCC to take it winter term, but whats done is done. I can't really explain why she's mean, its just the manner she handles the class, and talks to people, but she scares me so minimal contact with her is best.
I also MISSED ARCHERY THIS WEEK. Oh boy I was so upset. I totally completely oblivious to the fact that Wednesday was Wednesday and I had archery club. Oh well as soon as I write it on my calendar I'm sure to remember to go each week....
I've also just had a rough week/weekend in general. Stopped being friends with someone I've been friends with for 12-13 years, and it was coming for awhile I think, but it's still hard to let go of someone who has been a part of you for a long time.
Now for the fun (or boring depending on how you like facts) stuff!!!
So this weekend the trip I went on was called the Connemara, Kylemore Abbey & Gardens, Killary Fjord and Galway City Tour. Quite a mouthful isn't it?
So the view on the way to the Kylemore Abbey & Gardens was gorgeous, I did my best to capture views through the bus window so I tried to make sure I had little to no reflection in the shot, but I can't stress enough how these picture just don't do the view justice. It was jaw dropping.
You can kind of see how beautiful it is, but it was so amazing. I can't even accurately express how amazing it was and in how much awe I was in.
Next up: Kylemore Abbey and Gardens:
Basic info: Kylemore abbey is one of the most romantic buildings in Ireland. It was built in the late 19th century and it is the monastic home of the Benedictine nuns in Ireland. It was once a famous boarding school for the children of some very well off people. Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden is the most visited attraction in the west of Ireland. Thousands of people come to visit Kylemore every year to see the magnificent fairy tale castle and Abbey. They also come t0 experience not only the natural beauty of the Kylemore, but to experience th aura of peace and tranquility and a sense of spirituality.
Visitors are welcome to experience restored rooms of the Abbey, Gothic Church, Woodland and Lakeshore Walks, Nature and Tree Trails, Children's Play Trail, 6 acre Victorian Walled Garden. The restaurant and tea house at Kylemore offers traditional homemade food and the Craft & Design Shop has a collection of the best Irish crafts and gifts.
"This tree was planted by the Benedictine community on 27th June 2009 in memory of the deceased past pupils of Kylemore Abbey School. May they rest in peace."
So after the main owner died, and before the nuns owned it, Kylemore Abbey was a boarding school for children, and the guy who ran the school or was in charge used to beat a lot of the kids so many of them died in the school.
Ready for information overload? Well ready or not here you go! Although for those of you who would rather not read all this information (although while it's a lot I recommend it because some of it is really really interesting) I'll put a short timeline at the end as an alternative.
The Kylemore Love Story: Mitchell & Margaret Henry first fell in love with Kylemore in 1849 while on honeymoon in Connemara. Margaret was enchanted by the rugged beauty of Connemara. Some years later- after inheriting a fortune from his father- Mitchell Henry returned, bought 15,000 acres and created Kylemore castle as a gift for his wife.
Margaret's Story:
Margaret Vaughan was a beautiful young women from County Down. In 1849 she married Mitchell Henry, and shared a singularly social life with him in their London townhouse, and here in Kylemore. Her happy life ended tragically. While on holiday in Egypt in November 1874, Margaret contracted dysentery and died, leaving her husband and their nine children heartbroken. She was only 45. Margaret's death was a devastating blow to Mitchell. Lovingly, he had her body embalmed and brought back to Kylemore where he built a cathedral- in- miniature in her memory. Mitchell never remarried and his ashes are laid to rest next to Margaret in the mausoleum.More in dept info:
A hunting lodge originally stood where the Abbey is today and it is said that Mitchell Henry and his bride, Margaret Vaughan, visited Connemara while on honeymoon in 1850. Margaret was so charmed by Connemara that Mitchell Henry returned and purchases the 15,000 acre estate as a romantic gift for her and created on of Ireland's most iconic castles.The Henrys had nine children and enjoyed a happy a carefree life at Kylemore, but tragically Margaret was only going to enjoy her beautiful, fairytale castle for a brief time. In 1874, the family holidayed in Egypt and Margaret fell ill with dysentery. She died within 16 days of age 45. Mitchell Henry had her body brought to Kylemore and laid to res in the grounds.
Margaret was much loved by all and one tenant was quoted as saying "it is not our mistress we have lost, but our mother." The beautiful Neo-Gothic Church to the east of the castle was built between 1877 and 1881 by Mitchell as a memorial chapel to his wife.
The church, described as a "cathedral in miniature," uniquely features internal columns comprising of coloured marble from each of the 4 provinces of Ireland; green from Connemara, rose from Cork, black from kilkenny, and grey from Armagh, which are beautifully set against the cream caen sandstone walls. Although the church is Gothic in style some of its features appear feminine. Gothic churches are known for their carvings of snarling creatures such as gargoyles. Here, in place of frightening gargoyles, there are smiling angels. Internally, the delicately carved sandstone flowers and birds have feminine qualities. there is also a beautiful stained- glass window depicting five graces: fortitude, faith, charity, hope and chastity.
(I realize some info might be the same, but deal with it :p)
Mitchell's story:
Mitchell Henry was born in Manchester of Irish parents. His father was a successful cotton merchant who imported raw cotton from America and exported cotton prints. On his death in 1862, he left a sizable fortune to his son. Mitchell abandoned his successful medical career in London and turned his career to politics and commerce, representing Galway in the House of Commons for 4 years. Mitchell put his heart, soul, talent and considerable fortune into creating Kylemore castle and estate.More in-depth info:
Mitchel Henry brought many benefits for Connemara as a whole and left a lasting impression on both the landscape and the local people, Mitchell Henry's approach to his estate was both innovative and experimental and every modern method was used to enhance its appearance, potential and effectiveness. This was evident when he created the first model farm in the west of Ireland and cultivated the largest Victorian walled garden in Ireland with 21 glasshouses heated by a netweork of water pipes. To facilitate the construction of the Catle and gardens, he also re-routed the public road to Clifden. The road, which originally ran in front of the Castle, was re-routed to the other side of the lake. Of the original road two miles was kept as his private avenue though the estate.Mitchell Henry continually looked for improvements and in 1893 he generated his own electricity. At first the Castle was lit by gas, candles and oil but it was found that the water pressure from Lough Touther on top of the mountain could be used to produce electricity. The entire system was installed within 4 months at a cost of 2,000 pounds (i think) and had a running cost of 10 pounds per year compared with 400 pounds per year for gas. The hydro-electric estate us undergoing renovations and it is planned the estate will once again be powered by green energy harnessed from the lake. The castle also had its own fire brigade developed by Mitchell Henry's son Alexander, who trained with the London Fire Brigade. The brigade was staffed by volunteers form the estate workers and drills took place regularly. According to Henry family folklore "the only really fire they ever had was in their station house when all their gear was destroyed as they could not get at it to put the fire out."
Henry represented Galway on the House of Commons for 14 years and was a strong advocate of Home Rule. He called for many improvements to be made for the Irish people. He set up a school on the Kylemore estate for all of his tenants' children and reduced his tenants' rents in hard times.
Mitchell Henry died in Leamington, England, on 22nd November 1910, aged 84 years and his ashes were brought back to Kylemore and laid to rest next to his wife Margaret's remains in the Castle grounds. Henry's development of the Kylemore estate from wild scrub to a place of great beauty was an extraordinary feat given the many disadvantages and obstacles confronting him. From generation to generation stories were passed down telling of this extraordinary man who built a castle in the wilderness, out of love for his wife and for Connemara, and who lost a fortune in the process.
The Connemara Story:
Times were hard in Connemara following the dreadful Famine years of 1845-1852 where over one third of the population of Connemara were lost through starvation, fever and emigration. People were still dependent on the vulnerable potato crop and life was extremely difficult. The harsh winter of 1866 brought further suffering. The contrusction of Kylemore brought much-needed relief to that 125 tenant families and others from the locality. Men walked to Kylemore from as far away as Clifden to seek well-paid employment.The castle and garden took 4 years to construct. 300 people were employed to develop the estate with 100 of these workers constructing the castle. Workers earned between 7 and 10 shillings per week (19-20 cents per day) a significant sum, much higher than the average wage for a labourer.
The Castle's Story:
Kylemore Castle was designed by Irish architects and engineers. Samuel Usher Robertssn and Franklin Fuller. The Castle was built on the site of the original Kylemore Lodge in Baronial style, meaning a number of architectural styles were used to create an overall romantic and impressive effect, particularly when first viewed from across the lake. The castle contained 70 rooms, including 33 bedrooms and was lit by electricity generated from a hydro- electric generator. Covering approximately 40m00 square feet, no other resident in Connemara could match Kylemore castle for the style or grandeur.
Building the Dream:
Mitchell Henry was a true Victorian believe that "nothing was impossible" His Kylemore is an early example of location, location, and location- building here posed enormous engineering challenges. When it proved impossible to shift the mountain rock, the engineers built over it, giving the Castle a snug but hilly picturesque appearance.The materials used were mainly granite, limestone, and brick. the granite was brought from Dalkey in Co. Dublin by sea to Letterfrack and from there by cart to Kylemore. The limestone was sourced locally and from Ballinasloe where it was transported by train to Galway and then by sea to Letterfrack. The elegant frontage features a carved keystone carrying the Henry coat of arms.
Living the Dream:
Kylemore was a place of pure pleasure. Hunting, shooting and fishing were the order of the day. Most of the guests came from London; by boat to Dublin and then by train to Clifden. They joined the growing Henry family in a "suite of magnificent reception rooms." Facilities included a grand ballroom , a billiards room, tennis courts and even Turkish baths. Everything was designed with entrainment in mind and the Henry's dispensed hospitality "on a lavish and extensive scale."In 1903, King Edward VII came to call. It was rumored the Kind was interested in buying the Kylemore estate as his Irish royal residence. It was suggested that he decided against hte purchase, citing the castle was "too expensive for a King" after he heard the yearly costs of running the estate was no less than 40,000 pounds.
The Good People of Kylemore:
The Henrys were excellent employers and benign landlords. Kylemore brought new hope to the local population providing well-paid work at a time of great poverty.When the Henry's first arrived at Kylemore, Mitchell Henry developed a model farm on the estate and tought this tenants how to make the land more productive. He improved living conditions of the tenants' houses and erected a village pump at Letterfrack and a post and telegraph office close to the castle. He also set up a school for the children of his tenants.
Today, many of the staff at Kylemore are decendants of Mitchell Henry's tenants.
Modern Technology:
Hot & Cold Water: The castle water supply was conveyed through a six inch, cast-iron pipe from Lough Touther situated over 400 feet above the level of the castle. The long, steep desecent of the water main provided high pressure to all levels of the castle and the entire building was heated throughout with hot water coils and pipes. Branches were taken from the water main to the gardens, stables and other parts of the estate.Illuminating the castle: The water supply was also cleverly used to create electricity for the castle. J.G. Howard of London installed the system in 1892, at a cost of 2,000 pounds. A 'Girard" high pressure turbine was coupled to a dynamo running 800 revolutions per minute and an automated regulator was fitted to reduce the water pressure to suit requirements. The electricity was taken underground to the castle, stables, and photographic dark room.
At night, the castle lit with electricity and reflected in the lake, amazed locals and visitors alike.
The Kylemore Fire Brigade:
Given the fact that later befell the Abbey, it is irnoic that Kylemoer Castle once boasted its very own fire brigade consisiting of tenants. Alexander Henry, one of Mitchell's sons, a famous bon viveur and inventor in his own right, proudly set up the Kylemore fire brigade. Alexander first trained with the London Brigade and returend to Kylemore to lead the elegantly clad fire fighters. It is reported the only real danger the brigade ever had to fight was when the brigade's own buildings caught fire.The castle was fitted with high powered fire hydrants when it was constructed. Today, the Clifden Fire Brigade regularly test their equipment using the original fire hydrants.
Kylemore- "An Choill Mhor"
Kylemore stems from the Caelic "An Choill Mhor" which means "the Big Wood."The name refers to an ancient oak forest which once covered teh area.
Mitchell Henry went about recreating his "Choill Mhor" by planting over 300,000 native and non-native trees which have matured into beautiful woodland.
So now onto the rooms we could walk into:
The Drawing Room
The Dining Room
Everything enjoyed at the table was produced in the estate. The hunting parties provided ample game and there was always fresh wild salmon and trout in abundance.
The estate produced the finest meats, dairy and breads, while the walled gardens offered up all manner of vegetables and fuits- including exotics such as bananas, melons and figs. The wonderful fireplace is carved from black Kilkenny Marble.
Two portraits of King James II hang on the walls of the dining room. These paintings were give to the Benedictine Community by King James II in 1680'S.
The Billiards Room and Ballroom
Upstairs, the magnificent Ballroom had a special sprung floor where guests of the Henry's danced.
Under the arched ceiling dances, private theatricals and concerts too place on a lavish scale. Twenty four flagstaffs were erected in the walls along with several fine oil paintings.
The Duchess of Manchester however turned the Ballroom into a kitchen. The Nuns changed things around again- now it is their Community Chapel where visitors are welcome to join them at Sunday Mass.
This landing leads to these rooms which are part of the Nuns' private enclosure.
Turkish Baths
The Henrys erected a Turkish Bath in the gardens to the east of the castle. It conisisted of Hot and Intermiediate Rooms, communicating with the Shampooing Room and a Cooling and Dressing Room. The first two rooms had white glazed brick-lined walls. The Shampooing Room was fitted with a while marble shampooing table, zine bath, and a mahogany enclouse, a lavatory, urinal, shower, and douche.
A separate furnace provided the heating and hot water, it also provided sufficient heating for a connecting lean- to orchard house and a small rose house. Access to the Turkish Bath was through a door in the dining room.
The nuns converted the building into classrooms and it was later demolished to make way for the Nuns Enclosure.
Not going to lie I don't like the fact that these nuns (info on them soon) changed a bunch of stuff. It would have been cool too these things that they changed.
Other info on the rooms of the house.
Entering the front hall at Kylemore Abbey you see in bold lettering the word 'PAX' which means 'Peace' on the wooden panel fixed to the ceiling. It is a greeting and a blessing. 'Pax' is the motto of the Order of St. Benedict. The visitor receives this benefit and also shares in the welcome that is symbolized the moment you cross the threshold of every Benedictine Abbey the world over. Originally there were four repentance halls; today there are two the outer hall and the inner hall.
The outer hall: The oak parquet flooring in both halls is orginal. The Duchess of Manchester erected the Jacobean oak panelling on the walls. To the left is an illumination commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Lady Abbess Maura, the first Abbess of Kylemore.
The inner hall: To the right is the handsome oak staircase. A beautiful tracery window lightsthe stairs The ceiling over the staircase is an example of the fine plaster work that decorated the entire house before the fire in 1959. Up three steps to the left is the Gallery Hall. The Henry family used this area for reception and musical recitals. Surrounding the upper portion is an ornamental gallery where the Henry family portraits once hung. The Flag of Ramillies which was captured by the Irish Brigade at the Battle of Ramillies in 1706 hangs on the Gallery Wall opposite the fireplace.
The community (or middle) Room. (no pictures for this room): This large reception room was originally two rooms- a breakfast room and a morning room. The third window in this room, converted by the Duchess of Manchester, was originally a Gothic arch that opened to a tile-paved porch with a pair of high glazed doors communicating with the garden.
Rear Hall (no pictures) : This hall originally led to the Billiard Room (now the school music room) and the Ballroom (now the community chapel.) Up the stairs were the 33 bedrooms and dressing rooms. The statue of St. Benedict, carved from a single birch trunk, was presented to the community by the sculptor J. Haugh, a monk from Glenstal Abbey in 1964.
Now for some information on the people who currently are in charge of Kylemore Abbey! (I know more information. You all are probably like When does it stop? This is supposed to be a blog not a textbook!)
The Beginning of the Benedictines:
The history of the Irish Benedictine Nuns begins with the Reformation in England.
Lady Mary Percy, a member of the English Aristocracy, founded a Benedictine Abbey at Ypres in the early 1600s. The Irish 'gentry in exile' sent their daughters here to be educated or to become nuns. In 1665 Irish Benedictin Nuns arrived in Ypres and the house was granted to the Irish Nation. The Benedictine Community became known as 'The Irish Dames of Ypres.'
A Royal Monastery:
At the request of King James II, Lady Abbess Butler transferred the Community to Dublin in 1688, Kind James and his wife, Queen Mary of Modena, were supporters of the Community and they had promised the community "Royal Protection."
The king, a convert of the Roman Catholic faith, wished to established a Royal Monastery in Dublin and offered his patronage to Lady Abbess Butler. King James was defeated by William of Orange at the Battle of Boyne in 1690. Without "royal protection" the Dublin Abbey was ransacking by the Williamite forces and the nuns returned to Ypres. King James II gave the Community two portraits of himself as a gift. These paintings hang in the dining room.
The Great War:
During the 1st World War, the Convent of Ypres became a casualty of the bombing and the Nuns were forced to flee when shells were falling on their abbey. They traveled by foot for miles, carrying only essentials, until the British Red Cross rendered them assistance. They traveled to England and then to Macmine Castle, Co. Wexford.
The Benedictine Nuns arrived in Kylemore in 1920, purchasing the castle and 10,000 acres for 45,000 pounds.
Precious Treasures:
Artifacts displayed in this room are the 'precious treasures and antiquities' held by the Community. Before the community fled their abbey in Ypres, they prepared walled-up hiding places in the cellars into which they placed as many of the treasures as possible. Amongst the treasures preserved was a church vestment, made of the gold horse trappings of James II, a second vestment made from the dress of Archduchess Isabella of Spain: portraits and the royal patent of James II, a large border of lace worked by Mary Queen of Scots, portraits of some of the Abbesses and the Flag of Ramillies.
A priest, Father Henry V. Gill directed a group of men with the recovery of the items from their hiding place in may 1915. The abbey lay in ruins and some of the cellars were flooded. The abbey was still being shelled as they searched for the precious items. The recovered items were returned to the community.
Some more history: just remember as you sift through all this information I did this for you, for me, and the future!
The School at Kylemore:
The Castle became an Abbey and soon, the famous Kylemore Abbey International Girls Boarding School was founded. Daughters of the rich and famous came here to study alongside local girls in a 'ladies' college with an ennobling effect of the character of those fortunate enough to enjoy it
The Nuns also ran a farm, a craft industry and a small guest house. Under the Nuns, the tenants finally won the right to ownership of their own land.
Great Fire:
On a calm and moonlight night in January 1959, a fire broke out in the sewing room of the Abbey's west wing. Inside the Abbey, the community of thirty-six nuns, thirty students, and two lay mistresses were woken suddenly by the fire. The nuns evacuated the students and returned to the building to rescue archival material and furniture. They were beaten back by flames which engulfed the entire west wing of the Abbey.
Among the historical articles saved from the blaze were the flag of Ramillies, the James II portrait, lace made by Mary Queen of Scots, a broken altar stone from the Ypres monastery and portraits of the early Abbesses of Ypres.
End of an Era:
The nuns remain in residence of owners and stewards of the estate. As directors of the Kylemore Trust they are very much part of the fabric of today's Kylemore, indeed its spiritual heard, they continue with their daily life of work and prayer according to the Rule of St. Benedict. They celebrate the Eucharist and the daily Liturgy of the hours in the chapel. Visitors are always welcome to join the community for prayer.
The run their farm, they make soap and skin-care products. After the closure of the school, the home economics room was converted into a chocolate room where the nuns now make delicious chocolate. They are using other parts of the former school to create a space for monastic hospitality where they will be welcoming individual guests and groups for retreats and ongoing learning experiences, including music education, which will carry on something of a tradition of the school.
Random information you may or may not care or read about. lol
The Duke & Duchess of Manchester: The Gambler's story: In 1903 Kylemore castle and estate was sold for 63,000 pounds to a Cincinnati Oil Baron, Mr. Eugene Zimmerman. Zimmerman had purchased the castle as a wedding gift for his daughter who had married the Duke of Manchester. The Duchess made significant alterations- renovating the interior, removing the Gothic arches, and the main stained glass window over the main stairs and enlarging several rooms, particularly the bedrooms in the vain hope that royalty might come to stay. Unfortunately, the Duke had a fondness for gambling. It is said that he staked the deeds of Kylmore on a hand of cards and lost.
Info with no pictures:
The Tenants- Improvements: When the Henrys first visited Connemara, their soon to be tenants were slowly recovering from a cholera epidemic which had raged through the area during the first six months of 1849. This had followed the already devastating Great Irish Famine in 1846-1849, where over one third of the population of Connemara was lost as a result of starvation, fever and emigration.
The 15,000-acre estate was home to approximately 125 tenants. Following a long and troubled history with England, the tenants were concerned about their futures under and Englishman. However, Mitchell Henry created much needed employment for over 300 people and his existing tenants who wished to work earned the equivalent of their annual rent in just two months. Workers could earn from 7-10 shillings per week (19-20 cents per day.) This was considered a large amount at the time and laborers walked for miles to work at Kylemore.
Henry discovered that almost none of the cottages on the estate possessed windows, so over time, he encouraged his tenants to allow him to install one which could be opened to let in air as well as light. There had been a tax on glass and many families could not afford to have windows. The term "daylight robber" comes from this harsh tax. To further enhance living conditions in the area, Henry erected a village pump at Letterfrack and a post and telegraph office close to the Castle. He also set up a school for the children of his tenants.
King Edward VII- Royal Visit(some repeat info): The castle's most distinguished guest was King Edward VII who visited in 1903. The King was touring the West and was accompanied by the Queen and Princess Victoria. The group arrived by Royal Yacht at Leenane on 29th July 1903 where they were met by a nine-car motorcade which carried them through Connemara.
There were many rumours the the king planned to purchase Kylemore Castle as a Royal residence. The King himself, it is said, was in favour of the idea and "expressed strong admiration for the scenic beauty of the sister isle and real appreciation for the rugged splendour of the West Coast." However, it is said that His Majesty exclaimed it was too expensive for a King!
The Duke & Duchess of Manchester (some repeat info): The castle and lands were sold to the Duke of Manchester dor 63,000 pounds and possession was handed over on Tuesday, 22nd September 1903. The Manchesters were friends of the Henrys and had previously visited Kylemore.
The Duke had developed a taste for the high life including gambling, which left him bankrupt at only 23. As many impoverished Lords had done before him, he solved his financial shortage by marrying a wealthy American Heiress, Helena Zimmerman. It was hid oil baron father-in-law Eugene Zimmerman, that mainly financed the Duke and Duchess's purchase of Kylemore.
Helena, the new Duchess of Manchester, wished to modernize the Castle by changing almost the entire interior at a reported cost of 16,000 pounds. On the ground floor she ripped out many of Samuel Ussher Robert's fine gothic features. She had the magnificent marble arches in the hallways torn down and the entire area was paneled in the Jacobean style you see today. The wall between the morning and breakfast rooms was removed and replaced with two ionic columns. The library and study were transformed into one large reception hall.
However, some years later, following Eugene Zimmerman's death in 1914, Kylemore again changed hands due to financial difficulties. Ernest Fawke, a banker and property speculator from London, took over the property. He never took up residence in the Castle and only visited it on occasion. The Castle and estate was left in the hands of caretakers until a new buyer could be found.
The Benedictine Community (some repeat info): In 1920, with the help of public loans, the Castle and Estate (then covering almost 10,000 acres) were acquired for little over 45,000 pounds, by a community of nuns of the Order of St Benedict. The Irish Benedictine Nuns were refugees from Ypres, Flanders and had fled from their monastery in 1914 during the World War 1 bombardment of the city by the advancing German army. Their history is a long and eventful one reaching back to the community's foundation in 1665.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, when Penal Laws were in place in Ireland, the Abbey in Ypres attracted the daughters of the Irish nobility, both as students and postulants, and enjoyed the patronage of many influential Irish families living in exile.
The Nuns, because of the nature of their foundation, were known as 'the Irish Dames' of Ypres. The community devote themselves to the monastic life of prayer and work "ora et labora." The Benedictine Community have made important contributions to Kylemore, from opening the international boarding school, to renovating the beautiful Victorian Walled Garden and Gothic Church.
International Boarding School: The Benedictine Nuns have always had a long standing tradition of education. When the community settled in Belgium, Irish nobility continued to send their daughters to be educated with the Benedictine Nuns. When the nuns settled in Kylemore they went about transforming the Abbey into an International boarding school. The principal reception rooms and bedrooms in the Abbey were converted into classrooms with other rooms being converted into dormitories. The school was formally opened in September 1923. The school attracted many foreign students, many of whom came to study English. The majority of the students came from Galway and neighboring counties. The foreign students came mostly from Europe with some coming from India, Japan and America. Numbers rose to 80 boarding pupils and 120 day pupils in the 1980s.
Some of the more famous past pupils include, American actress Angelica Huston and Indian Princesses, daughters of His Highness Maharaja Ranjit. In the 1930s a day school 'Scoil Aine' for local girls was opened where local girls were given a secondary school education free of charge. Due to societal changes numbers enrolling at Kylemore started to drop. with only one nun remaining teaching and increasing running and maintenance costs it was decided to close the school the last students of Kylemore Abbey sat their last exams in June 2012.
Timeline for those who didn't read all the information posted on here:
1867- Construction of the Castle
1877- Construction fo the Gothic Church
1903- Arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Manchester
1920- Arrival of the Benedictine Community
1923- Boarding school opened
1959- Fire which destroyed part of the abbey
1993-Abbey partial opened
1995- Church officially opened
2000- Victorian Walled Gardens opened
2009- On behalf of the Kylemore Trust, Kylmore Tourism ltd operates the Estate.
2010- Closure of the boarding school
Ok guys I promise I'm almost done with the information overload. I have a couple of pictures containing information about the gardens- which i'm very upset I didn't have time to go see, and then I have one information slide about the church along with a couple of pictures, and then I will move and include part about the rest of my- which will not include nearly as much as this large textbook segment. I promise!!!!
The Victorian Walled Garden
The magnificent Victorian Walled Garden is one of the great joys of Kylemore. It was built at the time the castle was constructed under the guidance of French head gardener James Garnier. Comprising of 6 acres situated 1 mile west of the castle they were once compared in magnificence with Kew Gardens in London.
Originally the gardens features 21 glass houses where exotic fruits and vegetables were cultivated. The grapes and melons served during dinner parties at the Henry London residence were all cultivated in these splendid construction of steel and glass.
The Restoration Programme
A secret and hidden 6-acre Victorian Walled Garden at Kylemore had become a virtual wilderness by 1994, and was in need of conservation and restoration. It stood remote from the world in the midst of unearly beauty, amont silent hills, mountain streams, and torrents.
When it was created in the 1870s this garden was a unique and outstanding late Victorian Walled Garden was a unique and outstanding late Victorian Walled Garden. It was one of the last, and largest of the Victorian walled gardens created in Ireland.
The Nuns found it impossible to resist the charm of the historic garden, where the beauty and diversity o the Divine seemed to draw them into contemplation. The good zeal and vision of the Victorians were stirred again at Kylemore and the Nuns decided to begin a restoration programme.
In 1995 a restoration team was put in place following a feasibility study, development plan and fundraising. The Nuns were then committed to a historical restoration in the manner of the original layout of planting schemes, the kitchen garden, the herbaceous boarder, the ornamental pleasure garden, the Head Gardner's House, the glass houses, the wonderful walls (800 meters long and grand entrance.
When it was created in the 1870s this garden was a unique and outstanding late Victorian Walled Garden was a unique and outstanding late Victorian Walled Garden. It was one of the last, and largest of the Victorian walled gardens created in Ireland.
The Nuns found it impossible to resist the charm of the historic garden, where the beauty and diversity o the Divine seemed to draw them into contemplation. The good zeal and vision of the Victorians were stirred again at Kylemore and the Nuns decided to begin a restoration programme.
In 1995 a restoration team was put in place following a feasibility study, development plan and fundraising. The Nuns were then committed to a historical restoration in the manner of the original layout of planting schemes, the kitchen garden, the herbaceous boarder, the ornamental pleasure garden, the Head Gardner's House, the glass houses, the wonderful walls (800 meters long and grand entrance.
The restored garden gives us an idea of the horticultural excellence achieved in the 1870s, designed to overwhelm the senses on entering.
The Garden was formally opened in 200 winning a Europa Nostra Award in 2001.
This ambitious restoration is on-going. The Kylemore Victorian Walled Garden is a wonderful manifestation of God's love and Nature's beauty.
And finally the Gothic Church!! Bet you're excited to see the end of information overload aren't you??
The miniature Cathedral: Mitchell wanted to show his love for Margaret in a way that would last throughout time. He commissioned the architect J.F. Fuller to create a 'cathedral in miniature' in her honor. This beautiful Neo-gothic church is his tribute to her.
The gargoyles on the limestone exterior are classic marks of cathedral architecture- but these are angelic creatures telling of peace. The overall design has visual links with Bristol and Norwich Cathedral. The contrast between the exterior and interior stone is striking- Inside marbles from the four provinces of Ireland are set against a light yellow sandstone from Italy. The Mausoleum containing remains of Margaret and Mitchell Henry is a short distance east of the church.
'The carvings of the interior are breathtaking' say the experts- graceful and feminine with delicately shaped flowers and birds of beauty incised in the sandstone. The superb stained glass windows remind us of the Five Graces of Fortitude, Faith, Charity, Hope, and Chasity.
Originally the Gothic Church was a place of Anglican worship. Following the arrival of the Benedictine Nuns to Kylemore, it was re-directed as a Catholic church in 1920. Today, it is used to host musical recitals, poetry readings, and cross-community celebrations.
It will always be what it original was- Margaret's memorial, created by her husband.
I also wish I had been able to go to the Mausoleum and see the inside of the church, but we were running very tight on time so it was literally quick snap of pictures and then we had to leave :/
So now for the rest of my day, which really wasn't much. We went to Killary Fjord, and Galway City.
So now for the rest of my day, which really wasn't much. We went to Killary Fjord, and Galway City.
Killary Fjord:
Killary Harbour is a fjord located in the West of Ireland in the heart of Connermara which forms a natural border between counties Galway and Mayo. It is 16 Kilometers long and in the center over 45 meters deep. It is one of three glacial fjords that exist in Irleand, the others being in Lough Swilly and Carlingford Lough. On its northern shore lies the mountain of Mweelrea, Connacht's highest mountain, rising to 814 meters.
I thought it was a cute little town with an amazing scenery. We didn't stay too long only 15 minutes, because there was no where for the buses to park so they took up almost the entire road (the roads here are super small!)
Galway City
So may last stop of the day was Galway City where we got an hour to explore.Galway lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay and is surrounded by County Galway. It is the fourth most populous city in the state and the sixth most populous on the island of Ireland. We will be parked up alongside the Galway cathedral and will depart from here for Limerick. When visiting Galway a number of attractions are worth seeing-- Shop street, the Spanish arch, Eyre Square etc. The general atmosphere around the city of the tribesmen is fantastic.
Well that was my week, and my trip. I know there was a lot of information posted on here, which is the opposite of what a blog is supposed to do. But I know I'll appreciate it in the future when I can't remember any of it! And I made you smarter by posting it (well if you read it) :p so really you should thank me for taking my entire Sunday to create this :p
haha but like always hope you enjoyed it!
