Henry spent less time at Kylemore after her death, but built a Gothic chapel and family mausoleum as a memorial.

The castle was sold to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester in 1903, who resided there for several years before being forced to sell the house and grounds because of gambling debts.

The community traces its roots to a Benedictine house in Brussels, founded by Lady Mary Percy in 1598.

In 1920, the Irish Benedictine Nuns purchased the Abbey castle and lands after they were forced to flee Ypres during World War I.

They were rescued by men of the 8th Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, a scene that was later reproduced in the Freeman's Journal.

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.

Timothy Scully, Justice Peter Kelly (President of the High Court of Ireland) and Mother Abbess Máire Hickey OSB of Kylemore, as well as the US and Canadian ambassadors.

The Benedictine community has restored the Abbey's gardens and church with donations and local artisans in order to be a self-sustaining estate.

[13] Kylemore Abbey was featured in the UK cooking show Two Fat Ladies, Series 3 Episode 1 "Benedictine Nuns" (1998).