Kylemore Abbey
Kylemore Abbey Mainistir na Coille Móire - Coill Mór meaning Great Wood, is a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara, County Galway. The abbey was founded for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.
Originally called Kylemore Castle, it was built between 1863 and 1868 as a private home for the family of Mitchell Henry, a wealthy politician from Manchester, England who was also MP for Galway County from 1871 to 1885.
 | After the death of his
wife Margaret in 1875, Mitchell did not spend much time there. A noteable feature is the neo-Gothic church, a miniature replica of Norwich Cathedral, built
between 1877 and 1881. He and
his wife are both buried in the small mausoleum nearby.
There is also a Victorian walled garden. |
Kylemore Abbey is the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. The Community of nuns have a long history stretching back almost three hundred and fifty years.
Founded in Ypres, Belgium, in 1665, The purpose was to provide an education and religious community for Irish women during times of persecution here in Ireland and was formally made over to the Irish nation in 1682. Down through the centuries, Ypres Abbey attracted the daughters of the Irish nobility, both as students and postulates, and enjoyed the patronage of many influential Irish families living in exile.
The house and gardens are open to the public. The nuns have
decided to close the school in 2010, although they do not plan to sell
the property and will continue to reside there.
Founded in Ypres, Belgium, in 1665, The purpose was to provide an education and religious community for Irish women during times of persecution here in Ireland and was formally made over to the Irish nation in 1682. Down through the centuries, Ypres Abbey attracted the daughters of the Irish nobility, both as students and postulates, and enjoyed the patronage of many influential Irish families living in exile.
At the request of King James II the nuns moved to Dublin in 1688. However, they returned to Ypres following James’ defeat at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
The Community finally left Ypres after their Abbey was destroyed in the early days of World War I. The Community first took refuge in England and later in Co. Wexford, before eventually settling in Kylemore in December 1920. Here they reopened their international boarding school, and established a day school for local girls.
They also ran a farm and guest-house; the guesthouse was closed after a devastating fire in 1959. A section of the Abbey (the enclosure) is retained strictly for the nuns’ use and is not open to the public. Here the nuns devote themselves to their monastic life of prayer and work.
The house and gardens are open to the public. The nuns have
decided to close the school in 2010, although they do not plan to sell
the property and will continue to reside there.
Leenane
The beautiful village of Leenane, snugly situated at the head of Killary Harbour, is often aptly described as the 'Gateway to Connemara'. The roads from Maam, Clifden, and Westport meet at this point. Killary Harbour extends ten miles inland, and with mountains rising steeply on either side, is Ireland's only fjord, and provides what is amongst the best scenery in Ireland. Walkers have access to Mweelrea, Sheefry, Paltry and Maumturk Mountains.
Leenane with its surrounds is a
haven for geologists due to a great variety of sedimentary, volcanic
and metamorphic rocks. There is good fishing in the local Erriff and
Delphi rivers. Well known beauty spots include Aasleagh Falls, situated on the road to Louisberg, and Doolough Valley, scene of one of the many the tragic famine walks. |  |
A film adaptation of John B. Keane's famous play 'The Field', directed by Jim Sherdian, was made in Leenane in 1989. Well-known stars taking part included the late Richard Harris, John Hurt and Tom Berrenger. Visitors can visit many of the locations used as sets in the film.
On 18th July 2007, following torrential rain, the only bridge running through the village was swept away, cutting the town in half. The bridge was part of the N59 road and had stood for 182 years. The damage necessitated a 100km detour, until a temporary bridge was constructed.
The Beauty Queen of Leenane
This is a significant 1998 drama by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh premiered by the Druid Theatre Company in Galway, and subsequent successful runs at London's West End, and Broadway, and off-Broadway theatres in New York. It has also been presented by many repertory companies.
Plot synopsis:
The play is a blend of black comedy, melodrama, horror and bleak tragedy. The story is set in an Irish village Leenane, Connemara in 1989. The entire play takes place in a shabby, poorly lit kitchen, resulting in a claustrophobic sense of entrapment.
The play centres on the life of Maureen Folan, a 40-year-old spinster who takes care of her 70 year-old, selfish and manipulative mother, Mag. Sisters of Maureen have escaped into marriage and family life, but Maureen, with a history of mental illness, is trapped in a seriously dysfunctional relationship with her mother.
