The secret and tragic love story that led to the magnificent Kylemore Abbey.

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The secret and tragic love story that led to the magnificent Kylemore Abbey.

Only a few people know about the secret love story that led to the construction of a castle starting September 4th, 1867.

Not many men honour their wives with such splendour but Mitchell Henry gifted this splendid 13 000 acre estate to his beloved Margaret. Mitchell, a British aristocrat, and his wife Margeret first visited the estate on their honeymoon in the 1840’s. The Henrys loved the surroundings so much that hey became determined to make a family home at Kylemore, far away from a then polluted London.

When Mitchell inherited a fortune from his father, he commissioned an Irish architect, James Franklin Fuller and started construction of the grand Kylemore house in 1867 as a gift to his beloved wife.

Tragedy strikes

Margaret was reportedly well-loved by the tenants of her Kylemore estate and embraced countryside life. Tragedy struck in 1874, however, when she fell ill during a family holiday in Cairo, Egypt. She passed away after 2 weeks at the young age of 45, leaving behind 9 children and a heartbroken husband. 

In honour of his wife, Mitchell Henry commissioned the magnificent church near the bank of the Kylemore lake as a final tribute to his wife,

After his death in 1910, Mitchell was laid to rest next to his next to his beloved Margaret in a mausoleum at Kylemore woods.

For more information and how to get to Kylemore Abbey: –

You might not be able to gift your loved one a castle but a picture of Kylemore Abbey could be a very nice gift, don’t you think?

There are more than 30,000 Castles in Ireland, so where do you start as a visitor? Fortunately, here at Love Ireland, we have you covered. Follow the 2 steps below and it will help you on the right path.

Ready for your trip to Ireland? Start here.

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