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Connemara Tourism Ireland

Kylemore Ireland

Kylemore (Choill Mhór - the big wood) lies at the top of the Inagh Valley and is hidden between the mountains of Connemara and the Atlantic ocean. The mountainous valley around Kylemore is an area of old oakwoods which terrace the mountainside. The area is also famous for angling on the three Kylemore Ioughs, an appealing and refreshing character of the area. Kylemore is only a short drive from the neighbouring villages of Letterfrack and Leenane.

 

Picturesque Kylemore Abbey, the home of the Benedictine nuns, stands at the edge of the lake surrounded by woodlands. The gothic castle was built by Mitchell Henry, an English businessman in 1865. After the tragic death of his wife about a decade later he lost interest in the estate and it was eventually bought by the Benedictine order after fleeing their convent in Ypres during World War One. The grounds and part of the Abbey are open to the public.
Letterfrack Ireland
Letterfrack Village is dominated by the Diamond Hill which is located in the Connemara National Park. Landscape conservation is the aim of the Connemara National Park. Open from May to the end of September, it has a variety of activities for all the family with walks, talks, audiovisual show, Connemara ponies, and a new display depicting the development of the Connemara landscape over 10,000 years.

 

Also included are exhibits of the local boglands and of Connemara's flora and fauna. The old Jesuit school in the village centre is now owned by the community and includes various craft and exhibition workshops. Ballinakil graveyard contains the ruined chapel gable of a medieval church as well as ruins of an earlier sixth or seventh century church. It is here also that the remains of Oliver St.John Gogarty are interred.

 

Click on the picture or business name to visit the relevant website

ARTS & CRAFTS

KYLEMORE ABBEY & GARDEN
Kylemore, Connemara, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)95 41146 Fax: +353 (0)95 41440
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.kylemoreabbey.com

Kylemore Abbey, set in the Connemara Mountains, is a beautiful neo-Gothic Castle built by Mitchell Henry in 1868. The Castle became an Abbey when it was purchased, in 1920, by the Irish Benedictine Nuns. Following the untimely death of his wife in 1871, Mitchell Henry built the neo-Gothic Church in her memory. This has now become a centre of reflection for many visitors who can also visit the Abbey and the Mausoleum where the original owners are buried.

A complimentary shuttle bus takes visitors to the 6-acre Walled Victorian Walled Garden restored by the Nuns and re-opened in 2000. At the end of your visit, why not browse in the Craft Shop and view the unique Kylemore Abbey Pottery as it is produced in the Pottery Studio or relax over a cup of coffee in the Restaurant.

COTTAGE CRAFTS
Joe & Mary Conneely, Moyard, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)95 41029, Fax: +353 (0)95 41378

Cottage Handcrafts lies five miles from Clifden on the road to Letterfrack (N59) and overlooks the famous Twelve Bens, near the Connemara national park & Kylemore Abbey. Owned & personally run by Joe & Mary Conneely, the shop stocks a huge range of knitwear, tweeds, the famous Connemara marble & many other gifts & crafts.

COUNTRY HOUSES

KYLEMORE HOUSE
Janet McDonnell, Kylemore, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)95 41143. Fax: +353 (0)95 41143
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.Connemara.net/kylemorehouse

Georgian builting on Kylemore Lough.  Private salmon/sea trout fishery.  Home cooking, real turf fires, Rec: Frommer Guide & B & B guide to Ireland. AA

CROCNARAW COUNTRY HOUSE
Lucy Fretwell, Moyard, Connemara, Co. Galway
Tel/Fax: +353 (0)95 41068
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.crocnaraw.co.uk

Charming family run Georgian house on the shores of Ballinakill bay.  Peat fires & delicious breakfasts from the organic walled garden & orchard.  Close to Connemara National Park & Kylmmore Abbey.

LEISURE & ACTIVITIES

CONNEMARA COMMUNITY RADIO
Letterfrack, Connemara, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)95 41616
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.connemarafm.com

To find out where to eat, drink, find music, places of interest to visit and nuch more, tune in Connemara Community Radio - broadcasting daily on 87.8 fm & 106.1 fm
Connemara National Park

CONNEMARA NATIONAL PARK
Letterfrack, Connemara, Co. Galway.
Tel: +353 (0)95 41054 / 41006, Fax: +353 (0)95 41005
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.heritageireland.ie

Situated near Letterfrack, the Park covers some 2,000 hectares of scenic countryside, rich in wildlife on the slopes of the Twelve Bens.  Attractions include exhibitions, nature trails, audio-visual show.  In addition there is a summer programme of walks, talks and special events for younger visitors. Access for visitors with disabilities in the Visitor Centre.

SELF-CATERING

HEATHERHILL COTTAGES
Carmel Walsh, Letterfrack, Connemara, Co. Galway
Tel: +353 (0)95 43941
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.connemara-holidays.com

 

 
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