Muckross Abbey
Muckross Abbey
4.5
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Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Jim S
    Limerick, Ireland285 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very nice history and archeology
    If you are in the area this is a good place to visit as it is open 24 hours although I wouldn't go in the dark, it is free to visit, and you can take 100 pictures. I've even seen a wedding photo shoot which I thought was very cool. No need to repeat the history as you can read about it online but if you like Irish history, old buildings or religious structures then this one should be on your list. I've been here several times and enjoy it every time and will go back if ever in the area. It is free and very accessible, so why not. Free and decent car parking as well. Walking paths attach to Killarney National Park.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 March 2024
  • Jennifer H
    Columbus, Ohio641 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Love the tree
    We enjoyed visiting. The tree is very cool. It’s also fun to explore the abbey. There are no staff there so you feel like you happened upon this in the woods. It’s also not in such a ruinous state as some others. You can go up to the second floor.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 4 May 2024
  • Kai C
    Half Moon Bay, California1,329 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful
    Biked here from Killarney. The formerly Franciscan monastery is a nice combination of ruin and preservation (like a Sanderson novel), with a well maintained cloister and the famous tree. Try to find a day/season with as few tourists as possible, and enjoy.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 15 May 2024
  • Lotta R
    Beaufort, Ireland32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful old abbey
    Visited on numerous occasions, always a great outing. Beautiful old abbey with a fascinating history. Unfortunately not too much about it on signs etc at the place, but read up more online. Gorgeous huge yew tree in the middle of the abbey. You can walk around everywhere in downstairs and upper levels of it - very safe for children, too. Abbey is surrounded by an old graveyard which is still in use. Only a short walk from car park, so suitable for people who are not great by foot.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 3 June 2024
  • Davo60
    Sydney, Australia351 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good value
    Very interesting manor house that is completely furnished. See how the other half used to live. Reasonably priced entrance and Muckross Weavers are here for good value quality garments. Gardens are lovely and there are several walks.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Andre H
Cape Town, South Africa548 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
This Abbey was quite a surprise. We had done Muckross House , Ross Castle , Torc Waterfall in the Park & left the Abbey for last as we were not expecting much.

It was a nice 1.4km stroll from the parking area but well worth it. The Abbey is deceptively big & many parts are still in very good condition. Many steps & tunnels to explore with the tree growing in one of the courtyards a definate highlight.

In the distance one can also see the lake & this Abbey allows for many great photo apportunities
Written 10 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Edwelsh
North Canton, OH7,262 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
We rented a jaunting car at the street and road up to the Abbey. He stopped so we could get a picture of the black Kerry cows. Then we rode down by the lake where he dropped us off so we could walk down to the Wishing bridge so we could make a wish. We enjoyed exploring the ruins of the Muckross Abbey, it is quite large and must have been beautiful when open. Our driver told us, in his sing song accent, that there is a 700 year old Yew tree growing in the inside courtyard, it is just amazing. The cemetery is interesting and there are some fairly recent grave sites.
Written 3 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Katharina
41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Solo
Yes, there are many abbey ruins in Ireland, but this one is something else. So well preserved, you can not only go inside but explore the several rooms and even upstairs areas on your own. There is no charge, but I eould pay to bisit a place like this.

Plus, if you've got the time, talk a walk around Muckross lake (all the way is about 4h) and enjoy the magical and wonderous fairytale park. Well worth a visit
Written 7 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jaimee G
Urbana, IL452 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
There is a small parking lot near a short trail to the abbey. It was a pleasant walk along a path by fields where we spotted several different types of birds. The abbey itself has many rooms to explore, including upstairs, an ancient yew tree in the center, and a cemetery with interesting gravestones. If you're in Killarney National Park and have the time, I would definitely recommend checking it out- it's all free.
Written 22 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dan F
Saint John, Canada14 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
I did not rate this activity very high. The Abby is accessible and free but largely a ruin with no services. If you have kids you could set them free to fire them out without getting into trouble but otherwise your time is better spent at Muckross and Killarney house.

That said, the yew tree in the court is very cool and worth visiting (if you like trees). This yew tree has a very cool bark pattern that could be in the movies.
Written 19 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Davo60
Sydney, Australia351 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Couples
Very interesting manor house that is completely furnished. See how the other half used to live. Reasonably priced entrance and Muckross Weavers are here for good value quality garments. Gardens are lovely and there are several walks.
Written 5 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SkipperBill2
Belvidere, IL702 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
We had the absolute good fortune to have a tour guide who had researched the Abbey in exhaustive detail for a television show. He brought the Abbey to life in a way we will remember forever. Definitely a place to visit. I can only wish some interpretive signage will be added soon for others to enjoy as much as we did.
Written 30 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lotta R
Beaufort, Ireland32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Family
Visited on numerous occasions, always a great outing. Beautiful old abbey with a fascinating history.

Unfortunately not too much about it on signs etc at the place, but read up more online.

Gorgeous huge yew tree in the middle of the abbey. You can walk around everywhere in downstairs and upper levels of it - very safe for children, too.

Abbey is surrounded by an old graveyard which is still in use.

Only a short walk from car park, so suitable for people who are not great by foot.
Written 3 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sam S
Long Beach, CA855 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
The extensive gardens are more interesting than the large house itself. Parking is free. There are free toilets and a nice cafeteria. One can also walk down to the banks of the lake. The house tour is ticketed.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kelly J
Austin, TX10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021
Muckross Abbey was the most interesting place we saw in Killarney National Park. It is an old Franciscan Abbey with a Yew tree growing in the center courtyard. It is falling down, like many of the older structures in Ireland, but still maintains an interesting sense of history. Don't get the horse and carriage ride there. It is walkable and like all carriage rides, it is a tourist trap.
Written 28 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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