Muckross House, Gardens Traditional Farms: What is it?It is arguably the most popular tourist attraction in Co Kerry.
The 19th-century Victorian country house was designed by the Scottish architect William Burn and built between 1839 and 1843 for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, the watercolour artist Mary Balfour Herbert. It came into State ownership in the 1930s, and the park and gardens were opened to the public, with the house following in 1964. The three working farms – an award-winning tourist attraction – use only traditional methods.
Why visit?Muckross offers a snapshot of the life led by the 19th-century landowning class in Ireland. The house, accessible by guided tour, is furnished in period style. The gardens include a sunken garden, a rock garden, a Victorian walled garden and recently restored Edwardian glasshouses. Weavers, potters and conservation bookbinders have workshops in the craft centre, which also houses a shop and restaurant. Children in particular will enjoy the working farms on which they can see horse-drawn ploughs in action, griddle bread made over an open fire and butter churned by hand, plus the tools used by carpenters, harness-makers and blacksmiths. Some animals can be petted, and there is plenty of space for picnics.
Why now?It's a beautiful time of year to visit, with rhododendrons in bloom throughout the gardens. Family fun days are held on the farms (Sunday, June 3rd, 2-5.30pm) and at the craft centre (June 10th, 2-5.30pm). Visitors can also plan a visit to Killarney National Park, with its beautiful lakes, mountains and woodlands, by watching the audiovisual introduction to the national park – the Republic's oldest – at Muckross House. Access to the national park is free.
How do I get there?Muckross House is 6km from Killarney on the N71 towards Kenmare. Muckross House is open daily 9am-5.30pm September-June and 9am-7pm July-August. The farms are open daily in May and September (1-6pm) and June-August (10am-6pm), plus weekends and bank holidays in March, April and October (1-6pm). Tickets for the house cost €7 (adult), €3 (child) and €17.50 (family); the farm is €7.50 (adult), €4 (child), €22 (family). Combined tickets cost €12 (adult), €6 (child) and €32 (family). Call 064-6670144 for the house, or 064- 6630804 for the farms, and see muckross-house.ie.
