When I discovered a day trip from Galway to a local castle with victorian gardens was available, I couldn’t resist signing up. On my very first trip to Europe, I visited Neuschwanstein in Germany. It was the first castle I ever experienced, and one of the most magnificent castles in all the world. It left a strong desire to continue seeking out these architectural beauties as I continue to travel. Kylemore Abbey Castle was one of the highlights of my trip to Ireland. I saw a few other castles along the way (like Dublin Castle), but none were as enchanting as Kylemore Abbey. Like most of my time in Ireland, the skies were gray and the rain fell, but even bad weather couldn’t put a damper on this lovely castle and its victorian walled gardens.
A view of the beautiful castle, completed in 1871, from across the lake.
The castle was first built as a private home in the 19th century! Can you imagine calling a place like this home? 33 bedrooms! While the castle had over 70 rooms when built, only a few are open to the public today. The estate is managed by nuns who maintain the gardens and property to keep it open for public visitors. Since its restoration, more than half of the garden space is used to grow food and herbs for the restaurant and tea shop on site. In addition to the castle and victorian walled gardens, you can also visit the gothic church, explore the woodlands, and walk along the nature path by the lake. You would need a full day to explore all of these beautiful options. I only had a chance to visit the restored rooms, the gardens, and take a quick peak inside the chapel.
The beautiful landscaped Victorian gardens of Kylemore Abbey.
The cottages where the gardeners once lived, now open to the public to explore.
A beautiful pathway in the woodlands surrounding the castle.
The top of this breathtaking majestic mountain is covered with fog.
If you’re interested in more european castle’s, check out this lovely post from Rebecca at WhereToThisTime!
This castle looks so enchanting and pretty! I haven’t yet made it to Ireland however would love to visit a place like this. I am not sure if I have a favorite European castle but my boyfriend went to Neuschwanstein and said it was amazing!
Neuschwanstein IS amazing!! You’ll need to plan a castles of Europe tour!
Loved Ireland, castles and architecture are like from a fairy tale!
It really is a fairy tale world. I love going there. It’s like my home away from home. And the fact that they speak English helps my brain relax a bit.
Castles are so mysterious and fascinating. What I like about this one is its beautiful gardens and the greenery all round.
Yes, and the architecture is unique compared to many of the stone castles you will find in Ireland. IT obviously is much younger than many of those. And the gardens were just fabulous.
The cottages look so cute! Like my home country of the UK, it indeed rains A LOT, but that’s why it’s called the beautiful Emerald Isle. On a roadtrip around Ireland, I saw this castle from across the lake, but didn’t visit. Seems a shame knowing that they have a cafe selling homemade produce. Maybe next time!
Yes, hopefully the nuns keep this lovely place up and running for years to come. I dream of taking my kids on picnics to places like this one day!! haha
I have to save this link because it can be very useful for me on my next trip to Ireland 🙂 I have been there this winter but I didn’t have a chance to discover the castles yet.
I’ll be adding a few more castles to this series over the summer. So if you are a castle lover, stay tuned!
The view of the castle from across the lake is breathtaking! I don’t have a favorite castle…but I love visiting them in my travels.
As I was telling you on Instagram I only live an hour or so away from this beautiful place and I haven’t visited it. The order of nuns is Benedictine and they first came over from Belgium after WW1.
Yes, the history of the castle is so interesting. You must go if you get a chance.
This is amazing! All of these pictures are so gorgeous! I’m visiting Ireland for the first time this summer and couldn’t be more excited. I can’t wait to read more of your Ireland posts…right now!
Enjoy, and there will be more coming in the next few weeks. When are you headed there? I’ll be back in July!
How beautiful! My best friend went here when she was in Ireland and she LOVED visiting! I think the way it sets against the water makes it extra-enchanting! Thank you for sharing your experience. Cheers!
This is perfect for me, as I am planning a trip to Ireland for next year. [Going to read more of your Ireland posts now!]
Great! I will be adding more over the next month or so and then again later this summer after my next trip! Hope you enjoy them!
Great photos! I love Castle hunting in the UK, especially when it’s so lush and green like this! We’ve mostly done it in Scotland though – perhaps it’s time for an Irish jaunt!
Ahh…I doubt you’ll ever run out of castles to hunt being based in the UK. You are living the dream. I wish we had more in the US. I haven’t visited many of our great estates, but hopefully I get the chance.
Amazing photos! Enchanting castle and garden! It definitely looks like a place out of a movie. Thank you so much for sharing your experience along with the photos!
Zaria
Thank you for your kind words. Hopefully you’ll be able to visit one day!