Connemara - part 2

After lunch in Clifden, we toured Kylemore Abbey. Beautiful castle, church, and walled gardens.  Built by Mitchell Henry for his wife, Margaret, with his inheritance. They had 9 kids. She died at age 45, on a vacation trip to India (she contracted dysentery).  He never remarried and died penniless 36 years later in 1910.  In 1920, a group of Benedictine nuns bought the place and turned it into Kylemore Abbey. For many years, they ran a private boarding school for girls. The school is closed, but the nuns are still there - among other things, they make chocolate. They are slowly refurbishing the gardens with grants and charitable donations. It's a perfectly situated place, nestled among large rock mountains and lakes - very retreat-like and peaceful.  The rhododendron are all over, and are in bloom right now. Just gorgeous.  It was fitting that we toured the church right at 3pm - the same time our friends were burying a loved one back home in Knoxville. Godspeed, Patricia Beeler Lewis. 

When we got back to Galway, Josie wanted another pizza from Fat Freddy's, and we were all happy to oblige. The first toast was to Pat. 

Peat bogs

Kylemore Abbey

Taken by nice folks from Maryland!

Marble from several regions of Ireland was used for this church

The rhododendron climbs all the way to the top of the mountain. Stunning to see so much of it in glorious bloom. 

More sheep on the road on the way back to Galway