As you approach the Abbey you get a jaw dropping view of its size and beauty. The Abbey is the only structure in view as you enter the area. You immediately see the stunning views of the mountain and the lake, which puts a huge focus on the Abbey as a centerpiece. Before visiting the Abbey, I suggest you first find your way to the shuttle bus and go immediately to the gardens. From the gardens, take the shuttle back where you can walk to the entrance to the Abbey. If you are strapped for time, you can then determine how much time to spend at the Abbey. The Abbey is very beautiful inside with lush furnishings. We made the mistake of visiting the abbey first and then headed towards the Gothic Church and Mausoleum, which are lovely but can be skipped if you are short on time. They are in the opposite direction from the gardens. We ended up getting on the shuttle to the gardens and by the time we got there we had to remain on the bus and return to the entrance, since our time was up. So, we missed the gardens completely. Our guide told us to grab something to eat at the café but since there were so many people visiting it was packed, and he ended up having to extend our time by an hour just so we could eat. There is a nice gift shop that we walked through quickly on our way out. Even if the crowds are smaller, everything is spread out, so you need at least 4 hours here and more if you plan to eat. Tip regarding toilet - there are some at the entrance when you arrive but there was always a long line. I suggest that you go into the Café or the Abbey. Since we did not visit the Gardens, I am sure there likely some there as well.

a must stop if you are in the area. so much to offer. The Abbey is beautifully maintained and displays are wonderful. So many historical items in the Abbey. the Gothic Church was small but beautiful on it's own. The trails were peaceful relaxing to walk on. The mausoleum was interesting on its own. the Gardens and caretaker house give you a look into the past. This would be an excellent place to have pictures taken with many different background throughout the estate.

This stately home was purchased by the order immediately after WW1. It has remained a working Abbey ever since and the entire place has been sensitively restored and renovated. The interior is beautiful as is the chapel. The Victorian Walled garden is spectacular and not to be missed. Allow 3 hours to see everything. Tickets are best purchased online in advance

We went on a driving adventure with our adult son’s in Ireland . We had to stop for this tour because our oldest son’s name is Kyle. We enjoyed the castle but loved the walled gardens, all of the green houses and structures as well as all of the trees. We were there for about two hours. Go early before the tour buses come.

It's a lovely property with nice views but I don't think you get the bang for your buck. The abbey has nice history displaced inside but the rooms you see is limited, ie, no kitchen, bedrooms. The walled gardens are nice and allows for a leisurely stroll in a quiet setting. The bus service helps get you from the abbey to the gardens. The chapel which is a short walk from the abbey is actually more interesting than the house with it's architecture, stained glass windows, and roof gutter stone carvings.

Spectacular gardens. Walked "forever" and enjoyed the charming arrangements of each little garden area. The Abbey was built as a tribute to his wife and is absolutely gorgeous. Stands out in a beautiful setting of hills and trees. Just lovely.

My husband and I visited Kylemore Abbey while we were staying in Clifden during our visit to Ireland. There was so much to see, it was well worth the entrance fee. We spent quite a bit of time visiting the gardens. We also enjoyed walking on the triails on the grounds. We took the self guided tour of the mansion, which has many interesting artifacts and information boards detailing the history of the house , the history of the Benedictine nuns who run Kylemore Abbey. We ran out of time so were unable to visit the chapel. There are several places that sell refreshments throughout the property and a well stocked gift shop.

The abbey is in a beautiful location and must be one of the most photogenic buildings in Ireland. There’s plenty of information about the history of the building as well as the history of the benedictine movement. Walks to and around the walled gardens are equally interesting and there’s even a shuttle bus to the walled gardens if you have mobility issues. A couple of hours well spent. Recommended.

This was one of my favorite experiences of our trip!! It was worth the drive from Gallway for the scenery alone, but the abbey has a magical feel. We spent 3 hours here but could have stayed longer! The grounds are gorgeous, the guides were friendly, and the decorations in the castle were beautiful. We enjoyed walked around the gardens and were treated to a concert in the church. The shops full of handmade goods was fun. We really loved this visit! A must do for those in the area!

I visited Kylemore on New Year's Day with a friend and we both were hugely impressed with the talk delivered by Ann in the main hall. She was amazing. Her knowledge and obvious love Kylemore really made my day. She told all kinds of interesting anecdotes and even translated into French for another tourist. Unfortunately, the weather was terrible and we didn't realise there was so much to see and do. I would advise giving at least 4 hours to really see everything. Terrific experience. Ann Marie Heywood