New Exhibition, The Irish Country House Garden 1600-1900 Opens at Kylemore Abbey as Part of 25th Anniversary Celebrations

Kylemore Abbey is pleased to announce the opening of The Irish Country House Garden 1600–1900, a major new exhibition at Fordham Hall running from April to December 2026. 

The exhibition was officially opened on 16 April by Mr. Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and was attended by local neighbours and friends, as well as representatives from the tourism and heritage sector across the island of Ireland including the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Irish Georgian Society and Hillsborough Castle & Gardens.

Commissioned by The Kylemore Trust in 2026, the exhibition is an adaptation of the Irish Georgian Society’s flagship exhibition In Harmony with Nature: The Irish Country House Garden.  It traces the development of Irish landscaped gardens across three centuries of horticultural design. The exhibition offers visitors a unique insight into the evolution of Ireland’s country house gardens from 1600 to 1900.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, remarked:

"It is a great privilege to be here at Kylemore Abbey today to mark the launch of the Irish Country House Garden exhibition. Kylemore Abbey stands as a remarkable testament to generations of careful and committed heritage stewardship. This is evident not only in its beautifully preserved historic buildings, but also in its Victorian Walled Gardens, which this year celebrate twenty five years since their restoration. Together, these achievements reflect the dedication, care and vision of the Benedictine Community and the Kylemore Abbey team, who continue to preserve this extraordinary place for present and future generations."

The exhibition highlights the award-winning restoration of Kylemore Abbey’s Victorian Walled Garden in 2001 and also   features distinctive heritage gardens of the West of Ireland, including Portumna Castle, Lissadell House, Westport House, and other significant historic estates, showcasing the diversity and cultural importance of Ireland’s horticultural heritage.

Welcoming the Minister, Liz McConnell, Executive Director spoke of the ongoing commitment to heritage and biodiversity at Kylemore Abbey and acknowledged the importance of Government support for this work, through initiatives such as the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund:

“We are delighted to host this exhibition, celebrating Ireland’s country house gardens, which will be enjoyed by over 200,000 visitors this year, and we acknowledge Government’s vital support which enables the practical work of preservation and restoration by organisations, like ours, who act as custodians of the built heritage for future generations in Ireland."

  

Curated by Robert O’Byrne and designed by David Meaney, The Irish Country House Garden 1600–1900 exhibition represents a key element of Kylemore Abbey’s 2026 commemorative programme, celebrating 25 years since the restoration of the Victorian Walled Garden — a project that transformed a once-derelict space into one of Ireland’s most admired heritage gardens.

The Irish Country House Garden 1600–1900 will be open to visitors at Fordham Hall, Kylemore Abbey, from April through December 2026.