At Kylemore Abbey, Christmas has always been more than just a day on the calendar; it is a season shaped by tradition, memory, and the unwavering dedication of the Benedictine Community. For generations, Kylemore has celebrated the festive season with warmth and welcome. From the Henry family’s early years in the 1800s to the Benedictine Community for more than a century, Christmas at Kylemore has been filled with handcrafted food, comforting flavours, and traditions that continue to this day.
Every product in Kylemore’s Christmas food range, some passed down from the nuns themselves, and others created today with skill, patience, and respect for tradition.
A Christmas Pudding with a Monastic Story
The famous Christmas pudding is at the heart of Kylemore’s festive heritage. Since the Benedictine nuns first started preparing it, this recipe has remained completely unchanged. When Head Chef John started working at Kylemore Abbey eleven years ago, he followed the recipe exactly as they passed it to him, no tweaks and no additions.
The pudding is made with real whiskey and Guinness, freshly grated carrots, and the best dried fruits on the market. Every pudding weighs exactly one pound. The most important part according to John is, “We add one more spoon for the nuns.”
This extra Benedictine spoon serves as a token of remembrance, a way of keeping the nun’s generosity alive in every batch. This pudding is more than just a dessert, it’s a taste of living monastic heritage.
Brandy Butter: A Festive Finishing Touch
A rich, sweet, and comforting complement to any Christmas table is brandy butter. Its velvety texture pairs beautifully with Christmas pudding, mince pies, and festive treats, embodying the care that has traditionally characterised Kylemore’s Christmas celebrations.
Irish Country Cream: A Modern Classic with Heritage
Our beloved Irish Country Cream, a unique blend made with care and enriched with honey harvested from our 1,000-acre estate, proudly brought home a Bronze Medal from Blas na hÉireann. Made with exceptional Irish ingredients, it’s rapidly become a festive favourite.
Spiced Apple & Butternut Squash Chutney: Heritage in the Making
Not all heritage is old; some traditions are born through craft and dedication. Kylemore’s chutney is entirely Head Chef John’s creation. Before he discovered the ideal balance, he made it six or seven times.
The result is remarkable: first the sharpness of vinegar, then gentle sweetness, and finally the aromatics, cardamom and star anise linger beautifully at the end. With vegetables, spice, and depth, it is a new festive staple, made with the same attention to detail as Kylemore’s older recipes.
Mulled Wine Mix: Warmth in Every Sip
Kylemore’s Mulled Wine Mix offers a simple way to bring Victorian-style hospitality into your home. Measured to perfection, the mix transforms any red wine into a fragrant, festive drink, ideal for gatherings or quiet evenings by the fire.
Timeless Traditions, Modern Craft
Kylemore Abbey’s Christmas products reflect a unique heritage shaped by community and tradition. From recipes preserved by the Benedictine nuns to new creations made with patience and pride. This year, when you add Kylemore’s Christmas range to your table, you’re not just enjoying festive flavours, you’re becoming part of a story more than a century in the making.
