Family days out

All in a day!

MUCKROSS HOUSE & GARDENS

5km from Killarney

This 19th century Victorian mansion is set against the stunning beauty of Killarney National Park. The house stands close to the shores of Muckross Lake, one of Killarney’s three lakes, famed world wide for their splendour and beauty. As a focal point within Killarney National Park, Muckross House is the ideal base from which to explore this landscape. Muckross House was built for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, the water-colourist Mary Balfour Herbert. William Burn, the wellknown Scottish architect, was responsible for its design. Building commenced in 1839 and was completed in 1843. Today the principal rooms are furnished in period style and portray the elegant lifestyle of the nineteenth century landowning class. During the 1850s, the Herberts undertook extensive garden works in preparation for Queen Victoria’s visit in 1861. Later, the Bourn Vincent family continued this gardening tradition. They purchased the estate from Lord Ardilaun early in the 20th century. It was at this time that the Sunken, Rock and the Stream Gardens were developed.

Information

Tours of the house every hour. Adult €9.25 - Children over 12 €6.25. Estate entry and parking free. Craft Shop and Garden Restaurant on site.

MUCKROSS GARDEN RESTAURANT

5km from Killarney

The Garden Restaurant is set against the spectacular backdrop of Torc and Mangerton Mountains. This modern, 170-seat, self-service restaurant is the ideal location for those who wish to enjoy a relaxing meal in picturesque surroundings. Visitors have a choice of between eight and ten options from a hot food buffet, which is served daily between noon and 4:00pm.

Some of the more popular dishes on offer include:

Duo of Sea-fresh Cod and Rainbow Trout served on a Bed of Vegetable Julienne.

Cajun Chicken Breast with Black Pepper Sauce.

Baked Fillet of Salmon with Chablis Cream Sauce.

Braised Beef Steak with Onion & Guinness Sauce.

Asian-style Pork Chop served on a Bed of Vegetable Stir-fry with a Sweet and Sour Sauce.

Vegetarian and Gluten-free options are also available, as are freshly prepared salads from our self-service salad buffet.

Firm favourites such as Bailey’s Cheesecake, Strawberry Cream Meringue and Banoffi Pie.

Information

Tour Groups welcome. We can provide excellent valuefor-money and packages to cater for your needs.

MUCKROSS TRADITIONAL FARMS

5km from Killarney

Step back into the past on Muckross Traditional Farms and visit a very different Ireland – the Ireland of the 1930s and 1940s. Then, a trip to the well was still a daily chore for the housewife and electricity had yet to be introduced to the countryside. The horse reigned supreme; all farming activities were carried out using horsepower and traditional farm machinery. The rhythm of life followed a yearly cycle and the farmer’s activities were governed by the seasons and the weather. Visit three separate working farms (small, medium and large), each complete with animals, poultry and machinery. The farm dwellings are furnished in traditional style, complete with dressers, settlebeds and mealbins. There is a Labourer’s Cottage, a Carpenter’s Workshop and a Blacksmith’s Forge. There is also a schoolhouse, typical of many rural Irish schools built from c.1910. Parents can enjoy a sheltered picnic in the Woodland Play Area, while their youngsters have fun on the wonderful slides and swings. A free complimentary coach service, with universal access, circles the site continuously.

Information

Tours of the house usually every hour. Adult €9.25 - Children €6.25. Estate entry and parking free.

Muckross

MUCKROSS FRANCISCAN ABBEY

4km from Killarney

The Franciscan friary of Irrelagh, now known as Muckross Abbey was founded for the Observatine Franciscans about 1448 by Daniel McCarthy Mór. The friars remained in occupation at Muckross at least intermittently and despite the dissolution of the monasteries until Cromwellian times.

The present well-preserved ruins include a church with a wide, square tower and fine windows, and a vaulted cloister with an arcade of arches around a square courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard grows an ancient yew tree, said traditionally to be as old as the Abbey.

Muckross Abbey was the burial place of local chieftains and, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the three Gaelic poets Geoffrey O’Donoghue, Aodhagan O’Rathaille and Eoghan Rua O’Suilleabhain. The graveyard in the grounds surrounding the Abbey is still in use with a number of burials there each year. Muckross Abbey is open to the public and is just a short walk from the car park on the N71.

Information

Estate entry and parking free. Just a short walk from the car park on the N71. 1km walk by the lakeshore from Muckross House & Gardens.

TORC WATERFALL & MOUNTAIN

7km from Killarney

Torc Mountain and the waterfall of the same name are synonymous with Killarney. The easily recognisable shape of Torc is visible from most parts of the town and the surrounding National Park. Rising up from the shores of Muckross lake, it looms over many of the most famed beauty spots of the Killarney area. Torc waterfall is one of the most photographed scenes in the Killarney area. Torc is approximately 7 kilometres from Killarney Town and approx 2.5 kilometres from the motor entrance to Muckross House and is signposted from a carpark off the N71. A short walk of approx 200 metres brings you to the waterfall. From that point steps lead to another viewing point at a higher altitude that provides a view over the Middle Lake. The path is also part of the Kerry Way long distance walking route and a starting point for circular walking routes which are indicated by a map down at the start of the trail beside the car park. Across the road from the car park, jaunting cars can be hired for a trip to Muckross House.

Information

Estate entry and parking free. Jaunting Car Trips from the carpark to Muckross House are €25.00 per round trip (4 adults) prices are displayed.

DINIS COTTAGE

9km from Killarney

Dinis Cottage on Dinis Island in Killarney National Park is now a Tea Rooms and looks out over Muckross Lake. It was built by the Herberts who at one time owned the lands that are now part of Killarney National Park. The cottage has been described as a hunting lodge and a woodcutter’s hut and dates back to the 1800s. The Old Weir Bridge and the Meeting of the Waters are within walking distance of the cottage. The windows of the Cottage feature the names of the many who carved their names with their expensive diamonds with the earliest dating back to the mid 1800s. Getting there - It is possible to walk or cycle through the Muckross peninsula to Dinis. This is a one way route for bicyles as it is a narrow winding road with some winding bends and the return journey to Killarney is via the N71. It can also be accessed via a pleasant walk along by the lake from the car park on the N71 approx 6 kilometres from Killarney Town. Boat trips operate to the Cottage from Muckross Boathouse close to Muckross House.

Information

Boat Trips arranged at the Boathouse near Muckross House. Adult €10.00 - Children €6.00. Estate entry and parking free.