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Palace · Killarney, Kerry
Muckross House
Victorian mansion from 1843 in Parque Nacional de Killarney, between the Muckross Lake and the mountains, with period-furnished rooms, gardens and traditional farms next to it.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Muckross House
Muckross House was built in 1843 for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, the painter Mary Balfour Herbert, on land between the Muckross Lake and the Lough Leane, at the foot of Torc mountain. The design, by Scottish architect William Burn, is an English country house in Tudor style, with 65 rooms, tall chimneys and arched windows. In 1861 the family hosted Queen Victoria for two days, with alterations made especially for her visit.
After financial difficulties the estate was sold in the early 20th century and, in 1932, donated to the Irish State by the family of American senator Arthur Bourn Vincent, creating the national park. The house opened to the public in 1964.
Visits are guided and go through the ground-floor and first-floor rooms, furnished with 19th-century pieces: the dining room, the library, the rooms prepared for Queen Victoria and, in the basement, the kitchen and the servants’ corridors. The gardens include lawns, a rock garden and rhododendrons, which usually bloom from April to June.
Next door, the Muckross Traditional Farms recreate three Irish farms from the 1930s, with houses, animals, carts and period crafts, and operate in season. From the house you can see the Muckross Lake, and a path leads down to the water’s edge.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1 hour for the guided house tour; an additional 1–2 hours for the gardens and the traditional farms.
Best time
In the morning, on the first guided tours. From April to June the rhododendrons are usually in flower. The traditional farms operate seasonally, generally from spring to autumn.
How to get there
It is inside the national park, about 5 km from Killarney town centre via Muckross Road (N71). There is parking at the house. By bike or by carriage the route goes through the park, along the lakeshore.
Tip
Book the first guided tour of the morning and then walk down to the shore of the Muckross Lake. If you have time, combine it with Torc waterfall, 2.5 km away.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Muckross House
Is the visit to Muckross House guided?
Yes. The house is visited with a guide, in timed groups on arrival. The gardens are free to access.
Did Queen Victoria visit the house?
Yes, in 1861, for two days. The rooms prepared for her visit are included in the tour.
What are the Traditional Farms?
Three farms that recreate Irish rural life of the 1930s, beside the house, with separate admission. They operate in season.