North and west of Galway city, in Ireland, is a place known as Kylemore Abby. I have been to many beautiful places in my life, but this must certainly be a little slice of heaven. It was wonderful in late September --- I can only image what it must look like in late May when the thousands of Rhododendrons are blooming.

Originally built in 1867 as Kylemore Castle by Mitchell Henry, it was part of a 13,000 acre estate. Mitchell was one of “good” landlords in Ireland and was well thought of by the local people. Mitchell also built a Neo-Gothic style Church, large gardens and heated greenhouses on the property.

In 1920 Kylemore Castle, along with 10,000 acres, was purchased by the Benedictine Nuns for the sum of 45,000 pounds. They soon converted the Castle into Kylemore Abby and opened an international boarding school for girls. The school still functions today and has about seventy boarding and 100 local students. The Nuns run a small farm, but most of the lands have been deeded to the tenants of the estate.

Only the main common rooms of the former castle are open to the public, but the church, gardens and most of the grounds can be seen.