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Garden Name: Muckross House & Gardens
Last Modified: 18/01/2010
Garden ID: 0480

pic: 0480_Muckross.jpg

Owner: Eamonn Meskell
Address:
Killarney National Park
Killarney
Co. Kerry
Postcode: 
County: Republic of Ireland

tel: 00353 64 31947
fax: 00353 64 33926
website: www.muckross-house.ie
email: pdawson {at} muckross-house.ie

Features: 
Arboretum, Rock Garden, collection of camellias and rhododendrons. Walled Garden.

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
Gardens open all year. 9am - 6pm, to 7pm in July & Aug.
Traditional Farms: Apr & Oct; Sat & Sun; 1pm - 6pm
May; daily; 1pm - 6p,
June - Sept; daily; 10am - 6pm.

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
May

To see: 
Rhododendron collection

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: 
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: Accepted

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: All year (except Christmas - 23rd - 1st Jan) 9am - 5pm.

Admission Prices:
No charge to visit the Gardens.
House: Adult € 7; Adult Group/Senior Citizens € 5.50; Child/Student € 3; Family € 17.50
Muckross Trad.Farms: Adult € 7.50; Adult Group/Senior Citizens € 6; Child/Student € 4; Family € 20
House & Farms: Adult € 12; Adult Group/Senior Citizens € 10; Child/Student € 6; Family € 30

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: No
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: No

Other Facilities:



Designer: R. Wallace & Co. of Colchester, England
Description of Garden:
The world famous Muckross Gardens, 20 hectares in extent, adjoin Muckross House and contain many features which contribute to their beauty and interest. The design of the gardens is informal and its large expanses of lawn within a woodland setting provide magnificent vistas of lake and mountain. The Rock Garden is an unusual feature , developed on a natural outcrop of fissured carboniferous limestone. Close by is a charming stream garden with attractive waterside plants.


History: 
The Gardens were developed in the 1840's by the Herbert family in conjunction with the building of Muckross House. In 1861 Queen Victoria stayed at the House. In 1891 the Muckross estate was sold to a member of the Guinness family, who in turn sold it to Mr. William Bowers Boum. Mr. Boum, a wealthy Californian, gave the estate to his daughter, Maud, on her marriage to Mr. Arthur Vincent. Following the death of Maud in 1929, the 4,300 hectare Muckross Estate was given to the nation, becoming Ireland's first National Park in 1933.

Local Inns: 
Holiday Inn, Muckross Road, Killarney

Accomodation: 
Muckross Park Hotel, Muckross

Restaurants: 
Several in Killarney Town

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
National Park on Ring of Kerry route