Killarney House Traditional Cache

Located just a few hundred metres from Killarney town centre, the entrance to Killarney House at the ‘Golden Gates’ (not actually golden but black) is where Muckross Road, Countess Road and Kenmare Place meet at a small roundabout. The nearby Methodist Church is the closest landmark to the Golden Gates entrance.

A second entrance is on Mission Road beside the monument to Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and a 3rd is via the entrance to Killarney National Park directly opposite St. Mary’s Cathedral. 

Killarney House has a long and complicated history. Built in the early 18th century, the original ‘Killarney House’ was home to the Earls of Kenmare. Known locally as ‘The Mansion", the structure was considered one of the finest mansions in Ireland at the time. The house succumbed to fire in 1913 and all that remains today are the stepped gardens and some of the original gate lodges. Knockreer House now occupies the site of the original ‘Killarney House’ with the same beautiful view of Lough Leane and the McGillycuddy Reeks.

After the fire that destroyed Killarney House, the Kenmare family relocated to a renovated stable block of the nearby ‘Kenmare House’. After the death of the last Earl of Kenmare in the 1950s, Kenmare House and its adjoining lands were sold to an American investor syndicate and finally purchased by Irish American property developer, John McShain and his wife Mary. The McShains renamed the property ‘Killarney House’ and thus what we now know as ‘Killarney House’ came into being.

The McShain family used Killarney House as a summer home, and in their latter years as their primary residence. The family arranged for the property to be sold to the Irish state at well below market value with a proviso that they would retain usage of the house and gardens for the rest of their lives. Following the death of Mrs McShain in 1998, Killarney House was incorporated into Killarney National Park. 

In the years that followed, Killarney House and Gardens fell into disrepair. Finally, in 2014, the Irish State closed house and gardens to the public to enable  extensive reconstruction works. Since the reopening in 2016 / 2017, Killarney House and Gardens has become a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike.

GOOD LUCK SCAVANGING!

Note:  Garden Opening Hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (extended to 7 p.m. in the summer).