Day 71 26th April – Clifden
Began the day with of course the Full Irish – with modifications for me that were happily accommodated – I guess I am a half pint and half Irish kind of person!
First stop in the morning was Kylemore Abbey a castle, walled garden, beautiful gothic church along the lake side. Even if jaded by castles and cathedrals this was stunning.
The castle was built for a wealthy business man and later politician’s wife in the 1800s. Later it became a school for girls and a Benedictine community. Mitchell Henry was a man ahead of his time and the innovations within the castle and gardens such as 21 heated greenhouses were new. He also paid and treated his staff and the local community well.
The house had a fascinating history that included being lost in a card game, being an international school for girls.
The Victorian walled garden has been rescued and replanted as much as possible to the original planting plan. Covering about 6 acres, the garden includes a formal flower garden, along with glass houses the head gardener’s house and house for staff. There is also an extensive vegetable and herb garden, fruit trees, and a large rockery. Each area separated by walls, plantings or streams.
Along the lakeside in the opposite direction to the garden was a Neo-Gothic Church modelled on a fourteenth-century Gothic design – a perfect miniature of a cathederal. It was build honour Mitchell Henry’s wife Margaret.
Next stop in our day of stunning was the Connemarra National park – I was particularly excited to walk the boglands, Chris was keen to hike Diamond hill. Both of us were very satisfied – more bogland than I could have imagined.
I had decided I would not do the entire Diamond Hill hike watching tiny dots way up along the skyline on what looked like a narrow ledge I decided I would go to the base and wait for Chris on the other side. One more ridge, one more set of steps and on it went till there we both were on the top looking out over miles of Ireland.
Tired after our day of hiking we opted for what we knew and returned to Mannions Bar for dinner – this time I opted for traditional – Lamb yummy shanks!
