The National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Board of Trustees of Muckross House, Killarney, have announced a comprehensive programme of events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of Muckross House to the public, beginning on June 14.

Now one of Ireland's premier tourist attractions, the house was opened as a Kerry Folk Museum on June 14, 1964, and is run in partnership by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the voluntary Board of Trustees.
Local dignitaries, some current and former staff as well as some current and former Trustees will attend a formal ceremony at Muckross House, on the day.
There will also be free admission to Muckross House and Muckross Traditional Farms throughout the weekend (14-16 June) where the gGuides and Traditional Farm staff will provide their usual high standard of interpretation for visitors.
Several major developments have been undertaken by NPWS in partnership with the Trustees of Muckross House since 1964, including restoration work, the development of Muckross Traditional Farms, building the Muckross Schoolhouse, nurturing of traditional crafts, such as weaving, pottery and bookbinding; opening the Garden Restaurant and Craftshop and the development of an in-house research library.
An estimated one million people visit the Muckross area annually. Of these, 120,000 visit Muckross House, and 65,000 visit Muckross Traditional Farms. The Trustees of Muckross House currently employ more than 100 people.
"While Muckross is an undoubted magnet for tourists, it is also a huge attraction for the local community who visit and support the facilities all year round. Local people have a deep love of Muckross and we hope they will take part in and enjoy our celebrations to mark this historic year,'' said trustees chairman, Marcus Treacy.
Meanwhile, two long-term signature projects related to music and dance are also planned by the Trustees of Muckross House as part of the celebrations. Composer J. J. O'Shea is composing a musical suite, telling the story of Muckross through music. Also, a traditional dance project, based in north Kerry and carried out 40 years ago by Dr Catherine Foley, is being revisited to see how the dance has evolved since then.