BY DECLAN VARLEY
Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, one of Ireland’s premier visitor attractions, has reopened to the public from and hopes are high among management of a successful year despite a cautious return to international travel.
On December 31, Kylemore Abbey announced it would be bringing its winter closure forward by a week. The intervening two months has given the opportunity to reinvigorate the Estate, develop and supplement its product lines and visitor experience, and prepare for the coming season.
Located in the heart of Connemara on the Wild Atlantic Way, Kylemore Abbey was originally built by Mitchell Henry as an ancestral castle in 1870. Later, after passing through the hands of the Duke of Duchess of Manchester, it became home to a Benedictine Community of Nuns who were fleeing war torn Belgium.
In 1920, it was transformed into the iconic Kylemore Abbey. The Estate continues to be a home and place of worship to the Benedictine Community. Today, visitors can experience the Abbey at its finest, with its beautifully restored period rooms. They can Discover the fascinating visitor experience and learn about its history of tragedy, romance, education, and spirituality.
Explore the six-acre Victorian Walled Garden with its delightfully restored garden buildings, formal flower, and vegetable and herb gardens. Step into nature with woodland and lakeshore walks that journey through this vast, 1,000-acre estate. The stunning neo-Gothic Church is a short walk from the Abbey and a haven of serenity.
After a tough couple of years for everyone in the tourism and hospitality sector, the closure allowed Kylemore to plan new events, products, and partnerships for the year ahead to continue as a key driver for tourism in the west of Ireland and being integral to the economic recovery of the Connemara region.
An art exhibition in conjunction with the Irish Georgian Society, a Kylemore Abbey School Reunion, the 21st Celebration of the Restoration of the Victorian Walled Garden, and the introduction of a range of new Kylemore Products are all part of the plans to make 2022 a successful year.
These events will complement the regular annual festivities such as the Global Greening in conjunction with Tourism Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day, Family-focussed Easter activities, the welcoming of Kylemore’s “Peaceful” Connemara foals for 2022, and so much more.
Challenges
However, 2022 will not be without its challenges. While borders are reopening, bookings for the 2022 season are unlikely to bounce back with immediate effect and fears that the staycation trend, which saw Kylemore’s domestic tourism increase by 300% over the past two years (domestic tourism traditionally making up just 10 per cent of Kylemore’s visitor numbers ), will subside.
In addition, the difficulty in recruitment, which is affecting all of the tourism and hospitality sector is a concern, one which Kylemore Abbey is meeting with the launch of an extensive recruitment campaign to encourage new entrants to the workforce, returnees to work and those looking for a change in career path to work, develop, and thrive in the vibrant atmosphere of Kylemore.
Despite these concerns, the atmosphere in Kylemore Abbey at the announcement of their reopening was an encouraging one with Conor Coyne, Executive Director at Kylemore Abbey said that the last couple of years have been difficult for all in the hospitality industry.
"We are confident for this year and the years to follow, while also being cognisant that the impacts of Covid-19 will be with us for some time to come. 2020 and 2021 provided us with significant challenges, but also with the opportunity to preserve, maintain and develop our 1,000 acre estate.
"We, at Kylemore Abbey, are excited to welcome back visitors from home and abroad and we feel that it is important to provide leadership in terms of sustainable economic recovery in the region," he said.
Kylemore Abbey is a non-profit organisation and a registered charity. All income is used to preserve and enhance the heritage and natural beauty of Kylemore and to support the monastic way of life.
Kylemore Abbey is taking bookings online now. Booking details and more information about upcoming news and events can be found at kylemoreabbey.com
