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    Muckross Abbey Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Muckross Abbey

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    Melissa L.

    A cool landmark on the way to Muckross House. Muckross Abbey is the cemetery and site on your way to Muckross House. It's about a 20 minute walk from the Abbey to the house but beautiful views it's well worth it. Also Muckross Abbey is free to venture into. There were nice walking paths to the Abbey and it really wasn't far off the main road if you had to walk. For those that really can't walk and aren't taxi in they did have some horse drawn carriages to rent. The Abbey is a great stopping point on your way to the house but not a super big landmark, you can easily walk the grounds and be on to the best in 20 minutes time or so.

    Evelyn M.

    This was very cool to explore! And there are stairs going up with many rooms up there as well. The views are stunning. It takes a bit to get there if your expectations are to drive thru the main park area as it is under construction. Go down Muckriss rd and watch for signs to park right off the road then walk the path. Cemetery has very old and current markers so be respectful. No charge to explore no bathrooms as it's a ruins...

    Tree
    Shanelle S.

    Beautiful old abbey that's free to enter. We came here in the afternoon and walked here from Muckross House, which took about 20-25 minutes. There's a cemetery right next to it, as well as a parking lot where you can get cell service. You can explore the abbey in under an hour, and when it's warmer, it appears that it's a popular spot for wedding photos. There's an old yew tree in the courtyard, and you are able to access the top via stairs (note that there's no railing and it is dark in the staircases). Our taxi driver told us there are also stairs that lead to the basement/dungeon, but we didn't see those nor did we feel so inclined to do so, given that there was no one else around and it was getting dark. Overall, it's a really cool spot and something that a first time visitor to Killarney can easily do.

    yew tree in Muckross Abbey
    Angela P.

    06/2018 Ireland's beauty & history are boundless & Muckross Abbey in Killarney is a prime example. An easy, peaceful stroll leads to this amazing site where I was swept into another time. Architectural ruins & nature, like the yew tree in the center courtyard, are stunning. It's free to explore.

    Lisa B.

    I'm saddened by the ridiculous review by Stephan from Belgium. This is one of the things about Yelp that is unfair to businesses and points of interest. To give a place like Muckross Abbey a bad review because of the weather is absurd...it's Ireland for heaven's sake. What do you expect? This place is absolutely beautiful in both the physical and philosophical senses. We went around 6PM on a Thursday evening on borrowed bicycles, so it was nearly deserted. From the road, it took us about 15 minutes by bicycle. Just the getting there was lovely. Founded in the mid-15th century as a Franciscan friary, it dates back to the beginnings of Christianity in Ireland. The monks were driven out by Cromwellian forces in the mid-17th century. I love that they haven't repaired the roof. There are paintings from the 1800's that show it in just the same condition it is now. Don't miss the central courtyard with a stunning Ewe Tree surrounded by a vaulted cloister. The graveyard is still used today by locals, is also the resting place of prominent County Kerry poets O'Donaghue, O Rathaille and O Suilleabhain. Not to be missed if you're staying in town and if you have time....driving through.

    Marty B.

    We didn't have much of a plan for Killarney, so we wandered into Muckross Park across from our schmancy hotel and were delighted to find the Muckross Friary/Abbey from the 16th century. It's just sitting there, open to the public and the elements, free for all to climb through. The Yew tree in the courtyard is magnificent! Added bonus: a rainbow.

    Nature finds a way tree - enroute to the Abbey
    Kanchan B.

    It's a quiet and contemplative but well paved road that takes you to the Abbey. There's birdsong, trees in the wind, the occasional woof of a dog and excitedly shrieking kids, but otherwise it's an oasis of calm. I loved the 1km walk from Muckross House to the Abbey, there were lovely unusual flowers, bubbling streams, spectacular trees and so much lovely greenery. Then around the bend is the Abbey, and it's the best kind of ruin. It's strong architectural bones are still showing and the stones' passage from the 14th century are gracefully being worn down. I spent an hour here, and could easily have spent heaps more time, checking out the gravestones (found one from the 16th c) admiring the amazing Windows, the architecture of the chimneys and also the central courtyard with the tree. Best of all, visiting here is free, there is no parking charge and I would so come back again! This is an absolute local gem! Go and visit!! Note: #258 of Yelp 100 challenge for 2016

    Shane E.

    This was such a cool piece of history to walk through and the best part is that it was not crowded and it was free! Highly recommend!

    Sunset at the Abbey
    Christy S.

    Great area to visit for both historical experience as well as a haunting experience. We took a local ghost tour that took us to the Abbey which was terrifying. The cemetery is still Functional today, they still have burials so it's important to be respectful while walking the grounds. But truly this place is haunted. The death, murder and war that has happened at this location is unimaginable. Friends of mine had some haunting photos of spirits and orbs. Our tour guide took us into this long corridor closed room that he explained as the most haunting room in the entire property. During the day it's a typical normal experience but at night it's terrifying. For those of you who love ghost stories and haunting tales, do a ghost tour to take you through the Abbey.

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    Review Highlights - Muckross Abbey

    We came here in the afternoon and walked here from Muckross House, which took about 20-25 minutes.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Torc Waterfall

    Torc Waterfall

    4.4(20 reviews)
    2.5 km

    Torc Waterfall is a 20-meter (70-foot) high waterfall in Killarney National Park, where the…read moreOwengarriff River cascades down Torc Mountain. It was named after the Irish word for "boar," a local legend involves the warrior Finn McCool killing a mythical wild boar on the mountain. It was an easy maybe 4-10 minute walk from the parking (with restrooms) lot off the N71 Road. The path was well maintained and the lush green forest along the way projected and air of solitude. The map near the road shows other paths, with maybe one going to the top. The waterfall itself was pleasant and I did walk down to the water to get a closer look. It's impressive enough, but not quite what Gayle and I have experienced in the past back in the Sierra Nevada or even Iceland. And it's definitely worth a mental health stop.

    We spent the day exploring Killarney National Park. Torc Waterfall was a lovely little stop. We…read morefound the parking lot easily. From there it's about a 5 minute easy walk to the falls. The forest is incredible. It was almost like being in a surprise tropical rain forest. It was amazing how the landscape of this immediate area is so different from other parts of the area. The trees are covered with moss. There are giant ferns all over the place. I think there were about a hundred different colors of green. It was glorious. The falls themselves are beautiful. Lots of visitors but people were very polite.

    Photos
    Torc Waterfall - Path

    Path

    Torc Waterfall
    Torc Waterfall

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    Ross Castle - Ross Castle.

    Ross Castle

    4.4(36 reviews)
    3.1 km

    Everything was excellent. Great tour, great, and very verbose, tour guide. All tours are guided,…read morefive euro. No pictures allowed inside the tall house!

    I've visited Ross Castle twice now - once in 2017 and once today - and it is just as beautiful now…read moreas it was then. The castle itself dates back to the 15th century but has been renovated a couple of times since then, most recently in the 1980s and 90s. There is a guided tour that runs frequently throughout the day, it's €5 per person (cash or card) and runs about 30 minutes. It's very much worth it! You can't take pictures inside the castle but you can outside. The castle is about a 30-40 minute walk from the Killarney town centre. You can pay €20 per person per way for a jaunting car ride to the castle, but I preferred to walk there and get a ride back since it started to rain. Our guide's name was Noreen and she was very knowledgeable about the castle's history. She was able to answer all of the questions that our group had. If you have some time and cash, I also highly recommend getting a boat ride to Innisfallen Island. The boats depart from the castle and it's about a 20 minute boat ride through the lake to the island. You'll then get 30 minutes to explore the island on your own. There is a monastery ruins there that dates back to the 11th century and the grounds are absolutely beautiful. They are so peaceful and you'll likely encounter some deer.

    Photos
    Ross Castle - Red deer in front of castle.

    Red deer in front of castle.

    Ross Castle - Castle

    Castle

    Ross Castle - Back of Ross Castle

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    Back of Ross Castle

    Irish Famine Cottages - Inside Kavanagh house

    Irish Famine Cottages

    4.5(2 reviews)
    63.5 km

    I loved the history behind the Famine Cottages and can not believe that they are still in such good…read moreshape considering they were built in the mid nineteenth century. The cottages has been preserved so that when you step inside you get a good idea of how people had to live in this difficult time. I do think that they took things a little far when they placed mannequins in the bed and by the fireplace. It is creepy and I don't think added anything to the site. You have to walk up a step hill to view the cottages. Once you arrive at the top the view will take your breath away. On a clear day you can see as far as Skellig Rocks. There is a large farmer's cottage and three smaller cottages, The large one has outhouses attached for the horse and cow. These cottages were made from mud and stone and any wood used was washed up from shipwrecks. There are burials on the property that are sectioned off and protected. The last person to live in the cottages moved out in the 1950's.

    The Irish Famine Cottages are a neat piece of history: as close as one can come to understanding…read moresome of the living conditions of the Irish in the early 19th century. FYI, admission is listed in travel books as €4, but we were quoted €3 at the entrance. Ask for feed to feed the donkeys, sheep, and ponies in the Animal Park on your ascent. (Though the greedy buggers only want your food: no pets after you oblige!) The first cottage is "Pat's House": a peasant laborer. The second is the Kavanaghs. The cottages were built using mud and stone, and had thatched roofs (though no longer). The latter has multiple rooms with furniture and information. It also has an adjoining cow house/outhouse and stable. Finally, there is a beehive hut that was used to house the pig. There is also a path that leads you to an old (non-Catholic) burial ground, though it's not accessible and can only be viewed from the fence. Still very neat! Overall the Irish Famine Cottages was an interesting historical look into one of the most trying times for the Irish! It's worth a visit if you're in the area seeing the other ancient attractions!

    Photos
    Irish Famine Cottages - Another creepy mannequin

    Another creepy mannequin

    Irish Famine Cottages - This mannequin scared the bejeezus out of me!

    This mannequin scared the bejeezus out of me!

    Irish Famine Cottages - Creepy mannequin with a giant mole on her face

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    Creepy mannequin with a giant mole on her face

    Muckross Abbey - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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