Kylemore Abbey with Group 1!

I've been looking forward to - and telling folks about this place - our visit to Kylemore Abbey.

Not only is it an idyllic setting - I mean, look at this place - but the journey from Galway through the beautiful Irish countryside makes this destination even that much better.

Driving in a bus out through the farms and fields with iconic low stone walls, and hillsides dotted with sheep or Connemara ponies - it's breathtaking!

Trying all the angles - 

Not sure which one I like best -

I was trying to capture the pond and lily pads - and oh my, the Rhododendrons!

If I'm missing the bloom of the wild Rhodies at home, they are sure putting on a show here!

See all the purple?  Lovely!

Nestled in the heart of Connemara, on the Wild Atlantic Way, Kylemore Abbey is a haven of history, beauty and serenity. Home to a Benedictine order of Nuns for the past 100 years, Kylemore Abbey also has beautiful gardens I wanted to explore - the last time I was here I didn't make it to this corner of the magnificent 1,000-acre estate.

Wow! That's the word.  Wow!

So many varieties of lovely flowers.

This made me think of my mom - she is the best gardener I know and could have told me so many things about these plants - as for me, no green thumbs here.  My flowers are in my fabrics and quilts.  And that's okay too!

The temps were PERFECT.  I mean, couldn't get better.

Those red poppies dancing!

To walk through here in the coolness with a breeze - delightful!

Iris!  I know this one!

I mentioned yesterday that there may be pigs today.  LOL!

Now isn't THIS the life?

What" Are you talking to me?

Who is waking me from my nap?

Hello, Gorgeous!

(The tufts on the tips of the ears slay me! LOL!)

The abbey is so large that you can't fit it all in the camera unless you are off to the side, or further away.

Kylemore Castle was built in 1868 as a private home for the family of Mitchell Henry, a wealthy doctor from London whose family was involved in textile manufacturing in Manchester, England. 

The last time I was here, you couldn't tour the inside - but this time, it was open and it was wonderful to step inside and see how they had set up rooms much as they were in the late 1800s.

There were 33 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 sitting rooms, a ballroom, billiard room, library, study, school room, smoking room, gun room and various offices and domestic staff residences for the butler, cook, housekeeper and other servants. 

The construction of the castle began in 1867, and took the total of one hundred men and four years to complete. The castle  had over seventy rooms with a principal wall that was two to three feet thick. The facade  is made of granite brought from Dalkey by sea to Letterfrack, and of limestone brought from Ballinasloe. 

Other buildings include a Gothic church and family mausoleum containing the bodies of Margaret Henry, Mitchell Henry and a great-grandnephew.

In 1920, the Irish Benedictine Nuns purchased the Abbey castle and lands after they were forced to flee Ypres during World War I. The nuns, who had been based in Ypres for several hundred years, had been bombed out of their Abbey during World War I. 

The nuns continued to offer education to Catholic girls, opening an international boarding school and establishing a day school for girls from the locality. 

Looking up at the spires!

The school was the main educational establishment for most girls from Renvyle, Letterfrack and further afield for almost a century but it was forced to close in 2010.

Path through the woods leading back to the Abbey.

Did I mention the rhodies blooming?

The abbey from the lower path.

It was a beautiful day - and to think I get to do it all again when Group 2 arrives!  This will allow me to explore every corner from every angle.  This is a place I could spend hours at.

It's not Galway until you have fish & chips!

The fish here is Hake - and it is delightfully light and delicious.  I was just glad we did all of that walking at the Abbey because I need to burn off some of these good meals I've not said no to since I left the USA!

Today's adventure will take us out to Cliffs of Moher.

Weather?  Always bring an umbrella, and hope for the best.

My feet won't be back home in Virginia until June 26th - so while I'm gone we are having a PDF pattern sale!  30% Off ALL PDF patterns through June 30th using coupon code DIGITAL30 at purchase!

Please note that code MUST be used at time of purchase to receive the discount. No code - no discount.  And I'm not going to be around to issue refunds.

And because my Craftours groups will be working on some fun stitchery stuff while we travel - I've made the same projects available to EVERYONE!

Favorite Things!

Simple embroidery on Essex linen of a frisky cat peeking out through the flowers is surrounded by a border of pretty patchwork – a match made in Stitcher’s Heaven!

Quilt Size: 18’’ X 18’’

Celtic Stitchery!

Cairdeas (car-jiss) is Irish Gaelic for friendship, goodwill or alliance. 

Originally designed for my travel group to Ireland – Now you, too can stitch up a favorite Celtic knot surrounded by sprightly patchwork in all of the green shades of the Emerald Isle!

Full color photos, graphics and optional construction methods for scrappy success!

Quilt Size: 26’’ X 26’’

Optional but helpful for both patterns: Bonnie K. Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool and either the Simple folded Corners ruler, or the Simple Folded Corners Mini for pieced border. Sulky Stick 'n Stitch to print the embroidery design. (May also simply tape to a window and trace if desired.)

Traditional rotary cutting methods and foundation paper-piecing options are given for those who don't have access to these rulers.

Both of these patterns are now available in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop. 

Your 30% discount will be applied after you use the code DIGITAL30. Again, code must be used for discount to happen.

And yes, the code applies to ALL PDF PATTERNS through the month of June!  

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!