Search Results for 'Mitchell Henry'

In late October 1890, Arthur J Balfour, nephew of the Conservative leader Lord Salisbury of the time, and recently appointed Chief Secretary of Ireland, went on a walking tour of the distressed districts along the Galway and Mayo coast. Accompanied only by his sister, and local officials who joined them as they passed through different districts, they travelled without police escort. Remembering that it was only eight years since the Phoenix Park Murders* it was a brave gesture. But Balfour was probably the best of them.** He was genuinely anxious to improve the conditions of the area. He had influence in London, and an imaginative grasp of his brief for Ireland. He met and talked with the local community leaders, listened to what they had to say; and sat by the open fires listening to the mná tí.

As part of National Heritage Week 2010, which runs from August 21-29 and to mark the ongoing celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the death of Mitchell Henry, Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens will host a variety of events to showcase the history and natural heritage of Kylemore Abbey and Connemara.