Muckross House

About

Muckross House house built for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, the watercolourist Mary Balfour Herbert in 1843. Designed by the renowned architect William Burn, the Tudor Revival manner received extensive improvements in the 1850s to prepare for the visit of Queen Victoria. These enhancements are said to have caused such financial strain on the family that they were forced to sell the estate in 1899. After passing through a string of owners, the manor and its grounds were donated to the Irish state in 1932, making it the Republic of Ireland’s first national park. Today, a guided tour of the house brings visitors through elegantly furnished rooms, offering a glimpse into the lives of the gentry, while its basement preserves the working conditions the house servants. The 11,000 acre grounds, on Muckross Lake offer a pleasant stroll for nature lovers, while the tradition farm and workshops will satiate your appetite for rural culture. For more information, please visit www.muckross-house.ie