Connemara, Part 3 - Kylemore Abbey

When you're out in Connemara, everybody says that you have to go out and see Kylemore Abbey. They're quite right, you do need to SEE Kylemore Abbey. It is absolutely beautiful architecture set against the backdrop of a mountain and a lake.

However, I don't know if I'd recommend actually paying the fee to go in. When we went, the cost was 10 Euro (Book of Kells was 9 Euro) per person to get in. That was the highest entrance fee I've paid to get into any historic site in Ireland.

Once you're in, you can take the walk down to the Gothic Church, tour the lower floor of the Abbey, and visit the gardens. Admittedly, we didn't visit the gardens and perhaps that would have made up the balance of the 10 Euro per person.

My recommendation is this: If you're on a tight budget, visit the Abbey, take some pictures and have lunch at the cafe there, but don't pay the entrance fee. There are a few places you can get good shots of the Abbey without going in. However, if you're not on a tight budget, drop the 10 Euro and go in. There are some beautiful views on the walk to the Gothic Church and my experience with gardens at other such places tells me that the gardens would have been wonderful as well.

Kylemore Abbey is an absolutely wonderful site to see.