Kylemore Abbey's history spans from the Benedictine tradition begun with Saint Benedict's monastery at Monte Cassino in Italy in the 500s and the founding of a Benedictine monastery in Ypres, Belgium, in 1665, to Kylemore itself becoming a home, haven, school, and sanctuary. Mitchell Henry began construction of Kylemore Castle on 4 September 1867, and it was completed in 1871. Margaret Henry died in Cairo, Egypt, on 4 December 1874, and Geraldine Henry died following an accident at nearby Derryinver Bridge on 21 September 1892. Kylemore was sold to the Duke and Duchess of Manchester in September 1903, and the Manchesters left in 1914. In November 1914, the Benedictines fled war-torn Belgium and arrived at Kylemore on 4 December 1920. Kylemore Abbey School opened on 11 September 1923. A big fire occurred on 25 January 1959. The Gothic Church reopened in April 1995, the Walled Gardens reopened in August 2000, Kylemore Abbey School closed in June 2010, a new Monastic Church was completed in 2013, and in 2019 the foundation stone of a new monastery was laid.