Focus on Kylemore Abbey

An exciting new element to the visitor experience at Kylemore Abbey and Gardens was officially opened on June 10th, 2019, by Shane Ross, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Entitled ‘From Generation to Generation… The Story of Kylemore Abbey’ was developed with an investment of €1.7 million under Fáilte Ireland’s Grants Scheme for Large Tourism Projects 2016-2020.

The re-development of the Abbey’s interior creates a visitor experience that provides an engaging introduction to the Kylemore Abbey site.

Fáilte Ireland has worked with Kylemore Abbey and Gardens to develop this new aspect of the already well-known historic and cultural attraction. As part of this investment the iconic Abbey has been restored and adapted to allow visitors access to:

• A large new wing of four authentically refurbished rooms for visitors to discover. The team at Kylemore from architects to historians, have gone to great lengths to bring history to life and huge attention to detail has been given to everything from wallpaper to cutlery and 3d models to hidden audio devices.

• A new multimedia presentation will take visitors on a journey through history, connecting wonderful tales of romance, innovation, politics, tragedy and spirituality that make Kylemore Abbey truly unique. This presentation includes stirring historical footage, archive photographs and artefacts, stateof the art speaking portraits and beautifully updated period rooms with intriguing details throughout.

• The landscape surrounding the Abbey has also been reconditioned to match the grandeur of the interior and to ensure access for

Opens New Visitor Experience with €1.7m Fáilte Ireland Investment

those with reduced mobility.

Speaking ahead of the official opening in Connemara, Minister Ross said – “Connemara, with its beautiful natural landscape, provides an inspiring backdrop to the development that has taken place at this already iconic and much-loved attraction - allowing visitors to experience a taste of life in early 20th century west of Ireland.” Minister of State for Tourism and

Sport, Brendan Griffin emphasised “Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden has been the home of the Benedictine nuns since 1920. The iconic tourist attraction welcomed 300,000 visitors last year and this new development will not just consolidate those numbers but also raise awareness of Ireland as a destination.”

Orla Carroll, Head of Product Development for Fáilte Ireland said – “In Fáilte Ireland our focus is on developing brilliant visitor experiences. Investing in this brand-new experience, which uses state of the art multimedia storytelling to bring the story of Kylemore Abbey to life; ‘From Generation to Generation…The story of Kylemore Abbey’ is a perfect example of how attractions steeped in history and Irish culture can use new technology to provide a truly immersive experience of Ireland for visitors that will leave them with lasting memories of Ireland that will last long after they return home.” Visitors can now also enjoy the restored and landscaped Abbey exterior and the beautifully restored Victorian interiors.

Sr Maire Hickey OSB, Mother Abbess of the Benedictine Community at Kylemore Abbey further stated –

“For 100 years of the 150 year history of Kylemore Castle, the Benedictine Community has been living in and caring for the house with its Castle, Gardens and Estate. We are deeply grateful to Fáilte Ireland for their commitment to Kylemore. They have enabled us to present the public with this new Visitor Experience that embraces the contribution of the Benedictines to the survival of Kylemore as it exists today, and allows us to share our beautiful home with all who come to visit.”

Conor Coyne, Executive Director,

The Kylemore Trust said “Kylemore Abbey and Victorian

Gardens is a historic and internationally admired attraction. The Estate is an established focal point for tourism in Connemara and the Western Region. The new Visitor Experience, at Kylemore, will bring the fascinating history of the estate to life and further enrich the experience of visitors to the Wild Atlantic Way. The Benedictine Community will celebrate its centenary in Kylemore next year and this new development is a fitting milestone at the end of their first 100 years.”