Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms

Private and group vehicle tours of the Ring of Kerry—departing from Cahersiveen, Sneem, Killorglin, Kenmare, and Killarney—often combine a stop at Muckross House with a visit to nearby attractions such as Coomakista Pass, the Torc Waterfall, and other picturesque viewpoints and villages along the Iveragh Peninsula. Muckross House also features on guided tours of Killarney National Park and the Lakes of Killarney, which typically include Ross Castle, Ladies View, and the Gap of Dunloe on the itinerary too.

Choose between a ticket that grants access to Muckross House and Gardens or one for Muckross Traditional Farms. Or opt for a combo ticket, which provides access to both venues.

• Muckross House is a must-see for history and Victorian architecture buffs.

• A Killarney National Park information center is located at Muckross House.

• The estate has an on-site restaurant overlooking pretty flower beds.

• The house is accessible to wheelchair users as are the gardens, with the exception of the rookery. An accessible shuttle bus transports visitors to the farms, though the farm sites themselves are only partially accessible.

Muckross House is just over 3 miles (5 kilometers) south of Killarney. Take the N71 and follow signposts for the estate. If you are car-free, join an organized tour or catch a shuttle from the Discover Ireland tourist office on Beech Road; shuttle buses usually run from April through October.

Muckross House, Gardens, and Traditional Farms are open from late March through October. The landscaped gardens are at their most colorful in summer, though this is also when the estate is busiest. Try visiting first thing in the morning or late afternoon to experience the site at its quietest.

Muckross makes a great base from which to explore the rest of Killarney National Park. From the house, it’s a 20-minute walk or even shorter jaunting car (pony and trap) ride to the ruins of 15th-century Muckross Abbey, and a 45-minute hike to the scenic Torc Waterfall. Other park highlights, such as the Gap of Dunloe and Ross Castle, are fewer than 30 minutes from Muckross House by car.