Kylemore Abbey, located in the heart of Connemara, was built in 1868 as a lavish private residence for Dr. Henry Mitchell, a wealthy London physician and liberal politician. Following several years of residency, the Mitchell family returned to England in 1909, selling the estate to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester. However, mounting gambling debts soon forced the aristocratic couple to sell the property as well.

In 1920, the estate—including the castle, abbey, and extensive Victorian walled gardens—was purchased by a community of Benedictine nuns. These nuns had fled Belgium during World War I and found refuge in the peaceful surroundings of Kylemore. The site remained a place of religious devotion and education under their care.

A major fire in 1959 severely damaged the Abbey. Though the structure was engulfed in flames, all of the nuns escaped unharmed. Since then, the Abbey has been fully restored and continues to attract visitors from around the world for its architecture, gardens, and tranquil setting.

One of the most enduring local legends is that of the White Horse of Kylemore Lake. Said to appear every seven years, the ghostly white horse is believed to rise from the surface of the lake that mirrors the Abbey’s facade. In 2011, during a particularly windy day, staff reported seeing wisps of white mist skimming across the water in a horse-like form—reigniting belief in the legend.