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Final preparations…Historical Conservator, Sven Habermann, examining and cleaning various antiques and dining room chandelier in Muckross House ahead of the 60th anniversary of the opening of Muckross House to the public on Friday 14th. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
FINAL preparations are underway this week to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of Muckross House to visitors on June 14th 1964.
A special day to mark the occasion is organised by National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Board of Trustees of Muckross House, Killarney on this Friday, June 14. Staff at NPWS, Muckross House and Trustees will host several exhibitions, walks and guided tours in the vicinity of the house.
There will also be free admission to Muckross House and Muckross Traditional Farms throughout the weekend of June 14-16. Over six decades, thousands of people have collaborated to protect, preserve, and enjoy the special property.
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The weekend events feature: guided tours – history of the house, spinning wheel, bookbinding, pottery, crossroads dancing, nature walks, lakes ecology, Kerry cattle, deer, rhododendron, the white-tailed eagle restoration project and other events from 11am – 4pm.
A free shuttle bus will run from Mission Road to Muckross on Friday 14th from 10am – 4pm. That evening the local drama group Dochas will perform ‘An Evening with Joyce’ in Muckross House.
A programme of events and celebrations will continue throughout the summer months to commemorate one of Killarney’s most iconic locations.
From left; Patricia O’Hare, Archivist Muckross Research Library, Breda Nagle, Flower Arrangement, David Lynch, Muckross Research Library, Mary Walsh, Muckross House Guide, Denis Reidy, Manager Muckross House, Ronan Spillane, Jane O’Donovan and Mary Riordan, Muckross House Guides. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Completed for the landlord Herbert family in 1843, Muckross House acquired new owners at the end of the 19th century being purchased by Lord Ardilaun.
It again changed hands, in 1911, being purchased by a wealthy American, William Bowers Bourn. The house and estate were presented to the Irish nation, in 1932, by the Bowers Bourn and Rose Vincent families. Muckross became Ireland’s first National Park, in 1933.
However, Muckross House remained closed for more than 30 years. Following a campaign by people in Killarney, the Government agreed to the use of the house as a folk museum and it was officially opened as such on June 14, 1964.
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