Speech by President Connolly at Kylemore Victorian Walled Gardens
Kylemore Abbey, Co Galway, 17 April 2026
A Chairde Uaisle, a Mhná Rialta, a Gharraíodóirí, a Fhoireann agus a aíonna, tá fíor-áthas orm a bheith i bhur gcomhluadar i Mainistir na Coille Móire, i dtimpeallacht álainn Chonamara, chun Bothán na nOibrithe agus Seid na nUirlisí a oscailt go hoifigiúil tar éis a n-athchóirithe.
Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Liz McConnell, Stiúrthóir Feidhmeannach Iontaobhas na Coille Móire as ucht an chuiridh anseo inniu.
The Labourers' Bothy and Toolshed are integral features of the 6-acre Victorian Walled Garden at Kylemore Abbey built in the 1860’s by Mitchell Henry, himself an MP for West County Galway from 1871 to 1885, and a strong supporter of Home Rule. One of the last walled gardens built during the Victorian period in Ireland, it was so advanced for the time that it was compared in magnificence with Kew Gardens in London.
Following restoration by the Benedictine community, the Labourers' Bothy and Toolshed that opened to the public in 1999, provide insight into the lives of the more than 40 gardeners who maintained the estate during the late 19th century.
Now fully restored, we see original tools and other artifacts recovered during the renovation of the walled garden in the Toolshed. In the Labourers’ Bothy we see first-hand the living quarters of the young, unmarried garden labourers. These were workers who were relatively well-paid at the time, despite the surrounding poverty in Connemara.
Indeed, the Henrys brought many progressive ideas with them to this remote area. In a country still reeling from An Gorta Mór, the Henrys helped local workers to learn trades when constructing Kylemore Castle and also to train as gardeners. They opened a school in Lettergesh for tenants’ children and encouraged tenants to turn bogland into productive farmland. The Kylemore Estate was, in a sense, both a commercial and political experiment, and the result brought material and social benefits to the entire region and left a lasting impression on the landscape and on the memory of the local people.
Is léir go raibh ómós agus urraim ar leith ag clann Henry don cheantar álainn atá mórthimpeall orainn anseo agus gur thuigeadar an tábhacht a bhain leis an nasc idir mhuintir na háite agus an talamh sceirdiúil lenar bhain siad a chothú agus a chaomhnú.
Is ábhar dóchais dom, mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, go bhfuil tógáil agus forbairt déanta ar fhís chlann Henry ag an Iontaobhas agus ag pobal Beinidicteach na Coille Móire.
Tá go leor le foghlaim againn ar fad agus ag pobal an domhain ó na prionsabail atá mar bhunús maireachtála anseo agaibh; a bheith ‘aireach’ fúinn féin agus faoin timpeallacht, ‘measarthacht’ a chleachtadh, agus a bheith ‘fadradharcach’ chun cinntiú nach gcuirfear an dúlra nó an cine daonna i mbaol iad siúd atá faoi ghreim ag adhradh na sainte agus iad ar thóir na cumhachta agus an ansmachta.
As President, I wish to commend Kylemore Trust for this restoration work which has been completed over three decades as part of the Trust’s commitment to heritage conservation, social enterprise and sustainability in Connemara. This work, led by Sister Magdalena and the Benedictine community has brought Sister Benedict’s vision to fruition. It has included restoration of the award-winning 6-acre Victorian Walled Garden, the Neo-Gothic Church, and the new Visitor Experience in the Abbey building. The restoration of the Labourers' Bothy and Toolshed is yet another example of the Trust’s dedication to the conservation of this beautiful and historic place for future generations to enjoy.
Tréaslaím libh ar fad, a chairde, as ucht bhur saothar ollmhór.
Guím gach rath oraibh agus cuairteoirí agus oilithrigh á bhfáiltiú agaibh chuig bhur Mainistir agus gairdíní áille ó chuile chearn den tír agus den domhan.
Tá éacht déanta agaibh.
Míle buíochas daoibh ar fad.