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Hope of some sort of recovery in 2021 for Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farms

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By Donal Hickey, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farms

 

Like every other visitor-orientated operation, Muckross – a partnership between the State and a voluntary board of trustees - had a ‘challenging’ 2020, but there are hopes of some sort of recovery in 2021.

The outlook for the coach tour business and overseas visitors, however, is poor and many places will again be looking to Irish people to make up for these losses in some way.

In ‘normal’ years, between 110,000 and 120,000 people visit the House, and around 70,000 to the Farms.
Last summer in Killarney, we had a large influx of Irish people, families in particular, which compensated in part for the lack of other visitors and the year overall would be far worse only for that.
The immediate priority in Muckross is to recover from the adverse effects of COVID-19, to get the business moving again and to safeguard employment. The Muckross trustees employ around 65 people and at least as many more are taken on as seasonal staff.
The house was built in 1843 and, given its age, ongoing and expensive maintenance works are required.
The restaurant, craft shop, weaving, pottery, bookbinding, research library and farms are run by the trustees, but the trustees have no responsibility for the National Park.

PROJECTS

Most of the big projects by the trustees, in recent years, involved work to the House, including the restoration of all the windows and repairs to the roof and chimney at a cost of around €1.2m. Work was also done to the basement of the house, including the old laundry and servants’ dining hall, at a further cost of €0.47m.

A capital project currently nearing completion in the restoration of the old Victorian stables which also involves the provision of new toilets and refurbished offices upstairs.
In the next few years, the focus will switch to the Traditional Farms which were opened almost 30 years ago. Repair and maintenance work is needed there, especially to the old houses. That work would be phased over a number of a years. The schoolhouse was the last major project on the Farms, seven years ago.
The Farms will be open in 2021 and we hope that more visitor activities can take place there than was the case in 2020, when people were just allowed walk through the place. The level of activities on the Farms in 2021 will, of course, depend on what’s permitted under COVID-19 restrictions.
HOPE
I’d be hopeful of a general improvement in 2021, particularly in the second half of the year, and am confident Muckross will bounce back once ‘normality’ returns.
Major new capital projects are unlikely to begin in the short-term, however. Priorities include new and upgraded car parking facilities and the restoration of the glasshouses, which are well over 100-years-old.
But, ambitious plans for a multi-million Euro boating museum, based on the history and lore of the fabled Lakes of Killarney, have definitely been pushed further down the road by the present crisis.

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Rotary Club distributes €21,000 to local causes

Killarney Rotary Club members gathered at the Great Southern Killarney this week to present the proceeds from their annual Wine and Art Night to a wide range of local beneficiaries. […]

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Killarney Rotary Club members gathered at the Great Southern Killarney this week to present the proceeds from their annual Wine and Art Night to a wide range of local beneficiaries.

The event, which is the club’s primary fundraiser, raised a total of €1,000. These funds were distributed among several local schools and community organisations during a celebratory luncheon.
The schools benefiting from the night include Faha, Fossa, Gael Scoil Faithleann, Knockanes, Loughquittane, and St. Brendan’s College. Other organisations receiving support include Kerry Hospice, Kerry Stars, Killarney Athletic AFC, Killarney Valley Athletic Club, Killorglin Family Resource Centre, and the Rise & Shine Trust.
Club President Sherry O’Callaghan praised the collaborative effort that made the fundraiser possible. “The success of this event is a direct result of shared commitment and community spirit,” she said. She thanked the hands-on involvement of the beneficiary groups, who worked alongside Rotary members to manage the night.
The club also acknowledged key partners Daly’s SuperValu and Killarney Credit Union for their ongoing sponsorship. Additional thanks were extended to the Great Southern Killarney and the Scally Hotel Collection, while Cronin’s Cider was welcomed as a new contributor this year.
A significant portion of the total was raised through an art auction, where local artists and crafters donated 100% of the proceeds from their work to the fund.

Following the success of last year’s fundraiser, Killarney Rotary Club has confirmed the provisional date for the 2026 event.

The 25th annual Wine and Art Night is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 25, 2026. The evening will once again feature a showcase of local art and crafts, alongside the popular wine and cheese reception.
Organisers are encouraging artists, sponsors, and community groups to mark the date in their diaries early. Further details regarding venue and ticket sales will be released closer to the event.

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Killarney Golf & Fishing Club charity weekend for Jack and Jill

Killarney Golf & Fishing Club Captains Tomás Kelliher and Annette McNeice have announced that the upcoming Open Captains’ Charity Weekend will take place on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May […]

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Killarney Golf & Fishing Club Captains Tomás Kelliher and Annette McNeice have announced that the upcoming Open Captains’ Charity Weekend will take place on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17.

This year’s event will raise funds for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, which provides in-home nursing care and respite support for children with severe learning disabilities and complex medical needs. The event is sponsored by Truffle Honey.
The weekend will feature a Team of Four competition. Entry is €40 per person or €160 per team. Online entry is available through the club’s booking system at www.killarneygolfclub.ie. A dedicated fundraising page for donations has also been set up at www.idonate.ie.
A charity raffle will also run throughout the weekend, featuring green fees for top golf courses and various prizes donated by local supporters.
“The work Jack and Jill do for families in Kerry and across Ireland is extraordinary,” Captains Tomás Kelliher and Annette McNeice said in a joint statement. “We are proud to play our part in helping them continue that mission and look forward to welcoming members and visitors for a fantastic weekend of golf.”
Siobhan Reen of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation thanked the club for their support.
“Every euro raised helps us provide vital home nursing care, giving children the chance to be cared for at home, where they belong,” she said.
The foundation currently supports over 490 families across Ireland, including many in County Kerry, providing up to 100 hours of home nursing care per month.
Those looking to enter a team can visit the Killarney Golf Club website (
http://www.killarneygolfclub.ie/), while those wishing to donate can do so via the iDonate fundraiser page for the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club Open Captains’ Charity Weekend.
Further information on the services provided by the foundation can be found at www.jackandjill.ie.

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