Paradise Found

Deep in the heart of the Connemara, in western Ireland, is the fantasy-like Kylemore Abbey which sits on the banks of Lough Pollacappul, also known... more

by Norma Brock

Title

Paradise Found

Artist

Norma Brock

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Deep in the heart of the Connemara, in western Ireland, is the fantasy-like Kylemore Abbey which sits on the banks of Lough Pollacappul, also known as Kylemore Lake. The magnificent structure was built by Manchester textile tycoon Mitchell Henry in the 1860's as a gift to his beloved wife. They visited the area on their honeymoon in 1849 and reportedly spent over £450,000 to create a fantastical dream world. The bogs were drained, gardens were planted, and this mirror like lake became a paradise.

Henry was a good man, reportedly loved by his new neighbors. The vast sums spent in building his castle brought employment and prosperity to the area and saved many a family from starvation during the Famine years.

Tragedy struck when Henry's beloved wife died in 1874 from Nile Fever. Then in 1892, Henry's daughter was killed when her horse threw her into a nearby river. Henry was so overwhelmed with grief that he sold the estate. The Benedictines purchased Kylemore Castle in 1920 and opened the Abbey as an international boarding school and day school for local girls.

Uploaded

March 6th, 2013

Statistics

Viewed 5,892 Times  -  Last Visitor from Ottawa, ON - Canada on 04/15/2024 at 10:41 PM

Colors

Embed

Share

Tags