American Football Fans Get Connemara Experience at Kylemore
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American Football Fans Get Connemara Experience at Kylemore

Kylemore Abbey welcomed hundreds of American football fans to the West of Ireland ahead of this year's Aer Lingus Classic American Football game in the Aviva Stadium.

As thirteen buses made their way through the Inagh Valley on Wednesday morning last, the smell of barbecue and spit roast lamb was wafting through the air at Kylemore Abbey’s Garden Teahouse in preparation for over 500 touring American football fans.

Kylemore Abbey began what it hopes will become an annual tradition of welcoming the fans travelling to Ireland for the Aer Lingus Classic American Football game in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. This year, the faithful fans of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Northwestern Wildcats were treated to a very special “Connemara tailgating Experience” held at the Garden Teahouse beside Kylemore’s stunning Victorian Walled Garden.

American Tourists at Kylemore

While the day centred around exploring the Kylemore Estate and the “Connemara tailgating Experience” of locally sourced burgers, lamb sausages, homemade ice cream and more delicious local flavours, there was also a host of Connemara themed activities to entertain the guests.

Sheep Dog trials by Killary Farm and a meet and greet with Kylemore’s Connemara ponies introduced the visitors to some of the region’s livestock, local musicians; Marcus Hernon and Luke Gannon and dancer Ronan Nee provided the lively party atmosphere, while young hurlers from Craughwell, and members of the Grainne Mhaols under 14 team were on hand to demonstrate GAA to this sports loving group. Guests also hand he opportunity to sample spit roast Connemara Lambs as well as Kylemore’s Country Cream Liqueur and the award-winning Honeycomb Chocolate made in Sr. Genevieve’s Chocolate Kitchen in Kylemore.
Even the weather played ball to make for a great Connemara Cultural experience for the visiting fans.
Next week will see another delegation of fans arriving to Kylemore. after which plans will begin for next years Classic of Notre Dame versus Navy. Given Kylemore’s close ties to Notre Dame – hosting part of their Global Campus in one wing of the castle, it promises to be another great celebration and reason to turn on the festival feeling again in Kylemore.

Kylemore Abbey

Kylemore Abbey is open 7 days from 10am to 6pm. Keep up to date with Kylemore Abbey on their website: www.kylemoreabbey.com and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

About Kylemore Abbey:
Located in the heart of Connemara on the Wild Atlantic Way, Kylemore Abbey was originally built by Mitchell Henry as an ancestral castle in 1870. Later, after passing through the hands of the Duke of Duchess of Manchester, it became home to a Benedictine Community of Nuns who were fleeing war torn Belgium. In 1920, it was transformed into the iconic Kylemore Abbey. The Estate continues to be a home and place of worship to the Benedictine Community.

Today, visitors can experience the Abbey at its finest, with its beautifully restored period rooms. They can discover the fascinating visitor experience and learn about its history of tragedy, romance, education, and spirituality. Explore the 6-acre Victorian Walled Garden with its delightfully restored garden buildings, formal flower, and vegetable and herb gardens. Step into nature with woodland and lakeshore walks that journey through this vast, 1,000-acre estate. The stunning neo-Gothic Church is a short walk from the Abbey and a haven of serenity.

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