Muckross Abbey

An absolute highlight of the trip! It’s free and you’re able to explore the entire area! The yew tree is beautiful but there are also many other interesting areas around the abbey! We came at 9 AM and the crowds were minimal. I was surprised more people weren’t there. The parking is somewhat limited so I recommend coming early in the morning to get parking and avoid crowds.

A beautiful Franciscan Abbey with one of the best preserved cloisters considering it was built hundreds of years ago. The yew tree in the center is majestic and adds to an already very atmospheric spiritual abbey and cemetery. It’s is a short walk from Muckross House and is well maintained.

One of the highlights of my trip to Killarney. It’s free to access, and a short/easy walk from a little car park or the main Muckross House area. The abbey has been restored, so you can walk up the stairs and see all the floors, as well as empty slots for stained glass windows. There’s educational plaques in a couple locations, and quite a charming cemetery. It’s a quick trip, but worth it on a nice day if you like history.

If you want to see ruins AND explore them...this is it! What beautiful grounds all around. The Abbey was amazing. So much history and that Yew tree in the courtyard...wow. dont bypass this one!

It’s a free experience but man it was really cool!! We loved walking around freely and taking our time, not a whole lot going on but it really takes you back in time. Very cool place! The tree was incredible too

Beautiful historic ruins tucked away in the heart of Killarney National Park. The abbey itself is peaceful and atmospheric, with an ancient yew tree standing tall in the cloister. The walk leading to it is just as special - take the scenic off-road path through the woods instead of sticking to the pavement. You'll get to enjoy more of the park’s natural beauty and spot a few hidden gems along the way. A lovely stop if you're into history, nature, or just a quiet moment away from the crowds.

One of the best ruins we have explored. A must see Abbey in such a beautiful setting!! We had the place all to ourselves! So peaceful.

We toured Muckross Abbey early in our trip and it remained a highlight of our tour through the coast of Ireland. It was one of the better selection of ruins we went through, especially with the historical reading material available, ability to walk through all the rooms and levels, and the tree in the courtyard which was unique in all the places we visited. I would highly recommend stopping by. The abbey itself is just a short walk from the parking lot, though you can elect to pay for a carriage ride if you'd prefer to not walk.

Love ruins. I found this place fun and interesting. Love arches and celtic crosses. Huge cool tree growing in the center. Unfortunately today had crappy weather and lighting all day. But this might very well just been our bad luck that both days in area were awful weather. Still had good time and glad came prepared with layers, waterproof shoes. Most importantly hooded raincoat and hat with brim and chin strap. It was rainy coat and windy all week. We enjoyed walking around and exploring.

Muckross Abbey is a gorgeous place with a lot of history attached to it. It's also an active cemetery, so make sure you move about respectfully as there may be people visiting loved ones while you're there. I saw a family devouring the grave of their loved one who had been buried in the past few years and it made me rethink taking pictures of the graveyard. The church ruins themselves are beautiful and you can really feel the history. I highly recommend taking some time to yourself there and just quietly reflecting in one of the smaller rooms. There are no bathrooms there but there is a small bathroom by the parking lot for the abbey. Jaunting cars go through fairly frequently so if you're like me and you desperately need a ride home it shouldn't be too hard to get one.

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.

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...

Such a unique ruin and fascinating to walk through. There is a bit of a walk from the Muckross house, but you can make a loop with a faster return by taking a left right before the road you took in and head up a steep hill toward the back of the playground, then right at the playground and you are back in the car park!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

Amazing stone abbey, still in pretty amazing condition. If they just replaced the roof, it could still be a fully functional church. People are still being interned on the premises, both in the graveyard and within the abbey walls. I was amazed how large it was. So many nooks and crannies in different directions. Such beautiful windows, archways, and columns designed to embrace all levels of worship. There are 3 levels, all built around a large tree still growing in the center courtyard. Oh, if trees could talk, what tales they could share. It was so spiritual. It must have been a gem in its day. Unfortunately, it was a downfall from the Cromwell era of religious destruction. We wish they could rebuild this gem into a functioning parish. Definitely a must see.

This is a beautiful and well preserved site. The old yew tree in the cloister is amazing, and you really get a sense of the Franciscan respect for nature in the way that the Abbey interacts with the forest. Definitely worth saving for a sunny day to really appreciate the scenery.

Great tour-loved our tour guide, he was extremely kind and knowledgeable. The house was amazing and a real treasure to see. We also enjoyed a meal at the restaurant, walked around the gardens, and visited the Abbey (which was my favorite!). Very worth doing and a nice addition to outdoor hiking in Killarney Natl Park

Maybe worth it under the sun but we didn't have that chance. Visiting ruins of an abbey and surrounding cemetery under the rain is quite depressing.