December 4, 2024, marks the 150th anniversary of the untimely passing of Margaret Henry, the woman in whose honour Kylemore Castle and Estate were built. To commemorate this significant occasion, the Benedictine Community and members of the Kylemore Team will lay a wreath from the Victorian Walled Garden at the mausoleum where Margaret rests in her beloved Kylemore. Read more here..
A native of Dromore, County Down, Margaret Vaughan married Mitchell Henry—a distinguished eye surgeon, politician, and heir to a substantial family fortune—in 1849. The couple shared a deep affection for each other and a profound love for Ireland. They chose Connemara as the destination for their honeymoon, drawn by Mitchell’s passion for fishing and hunting and their mutual appreciation for the region’s beauty.
During their honeymoon, Mitchell made a promise to his new bride: to build her a fairytale castle in Connemara. True to his word, construction was completed in 1867 on Kylemore Castle, complete with a magnificent Walled Garden, a model farm, accommodations for employees and tenants, and various other estate buildings.
The castle was a heartfelt dedication to Margaret. Her family’s Vaughan coat of arms was placed above the front door, while Italian design elements and other details throughout the house reflected her refined taste and influence. Despite the grandeur of their home and lifestyle, both Mitchell and Margaret were acutely aware of the hardships endured by the local population, who continued to suffer in the aftermath of famine, disease, and poverty.
Mitchell Henry is well-remembered for his efforts to improve living and working conditions for his tenants and employees, as well as for advancing education for their children. However, Margaret’s contributions were equally impactful. Adored for her generosity, Margaret was praised in letters published in The Freemasons' Journal for her unwavering kindness. One such letter from 1872, signed by 90 local residents, commended her for “uniform kindness and liberality to all, particularly the sick poor—no language at our command can adequately express our feelings of admiration of such invaluable, and, we hope, never-to-be-forgotten services.”
Tragically, just two years later, Margaret passed away from dysentery while on holiday in Egypt. Her death devastated the local community, who expressed their profound grief, with tenants stating they had not lost a mistress but a mother. Her obituary further highlighted her compassion: “The poor and destitute were by her supplied with food and clothing, and it was her custom during all seasons of the year to visit the humble homesteads on the estate and minister freely to the wants of the occupants.”
Margaret’s passing left an indelible mark on her husband Mitchell and their nine children. As a tribute, Mitchell commissioned the construction of a neo-Gothic church, its design deeply inspired by Margaret. The church features Irish marble to symbolize her love for her homeland and replaces traditional Gothic grotesques with angelic and floral motifs, reflecting her grace and femininity. Margaret was laid to rest in a mausoleum located in the woodlands beyond the neo-Gothic church. Years later, after Mitchell had sold the estate and returned to England, he was cremated and interred alongside his beloved wife, fulfilling their enduring bond even in death. To learn more about the history of Kylemore Abbey please see here.
All photos courtesy of Kylemore Abbey.
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