A Romantic Spot

by C. Margery Kempe

From Ireland

First a little news: some good coverage of my publisher for Man City, Tirgearr, in the Irish Publishing News and also at the London Book Fair. The perks of being the first all digital Irish fiction house. Hope that will give a boost to sales!

Here’s a lovely spot to spark some story ideas: Kylemore Abbey was originally a castle for a family, then became an abbey and school. There’s a love story behind it, too. As the website tells us,

The Castle was built by Mitchell and Margaret Henry from 1867 – to 1871. Before the arrival of the Henry’s, Connemara was a popular destination for hunting and fishing and Mitchell Henry became one of the growing number of Irish and English gentlemen who visited Connemara during the fishing season. Tradition has it that the couple visited Connemara while on their honeymoon and were enchanted by the beauty of the landscape. It was the couple’s wish someday to own a home there and it is said that during those visits, the Henry’s rented Kylemore Lodge, the original building on the site where they later built Kylemore Castle.

The beautiful castle was a terrific gift for a beloved wife; unfortunately, she only got to enjoy it for a few years before succumbing to an illness while traveling in Egypt. To honour her memory, Mitchell built a church and masoleum for Margaret:

From Ireland

This very beautiful Gothic Church was built by Mitchell Henry in the memory of his beloved wife Margaret Henry who died only fours years after the castle was constucted. The Church was designed by Architect James Franklin Fuller who also designed the famous Ashford Castle in Cong, Co.Mayo. Work began on the church in 1877 but it was not completed until 1881.

It’s very lovely on the inside, too. The mausoleum is a much plainer affair, which I found surprising. Of course my favourite part was the gardens: even with spring barely sprung (and lambs in the hills everywhere, so cute!) the grounds are lovely. I expect I’ll have a chance to see them later in the year with other visitors and will be wowed.

From Ireland

From Ireland

From Ireland

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