The History of Muckross Park Hotel & Spa

• In 1795, a simple hunting lodge stood where Muckross Park now rests, surrounded by forest and folklore. Within years, the Herbert Family transformed it into The Herbert Arms, the first hotel in Killarney, welcoming early travellers to the Lakes of Killarney.
• Among them, Henry Arthur Herbert (1815–1866), Member of Parliament for Kerry and later Chief Secretary of Ireland, whose legacy still echoes in the estate’s grandeur.

• When the new Moll’s Gap road opened in 1833, connecting Kenmare and Glengariff, the Herbert Arms became a key stop along this storied route.
• Renowned hotelier Edward Roche took ownership and reimagined it as Roche’s Hotel, a beloved inn where travellers could dine, rest, and trade tales.
• Part of this original thatched structure still endures today as Monk’s Lounge and the historic George Bernard Shaw Suite and Innisfallen Suite.

• During the 1800s, the Herbert Family maintained ownership of both Muckross Park and Muckross House. In 1849, they hosted a dinner for over 200 guests to prepare for a royal dream, the visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, which finally came to life in 1861.
• The event was a triumph of hospitality and Irish grandeur, placing Killarney firmly on the map of Europe’s elite.

• As the 19th century closed, fortunes shifted. The Herberts’ lavish spending and generous rents led to financial hardship, and the estate passed into new hands.
• Lord Ardilaun of the Guinness Family purchased Muckross Park Hotel in 1899, beginning a new chapter in its evolving story. Ownership later passed to the Ross Family, who continued to nurture its growing reputation as a haven for travellers and artists.

• In 1923, literary legend George Bernard Shaw and his wife Charlotte Payne Townsend stayed at Muckross Park Hotel.
• He adored the serenity of the gardens and the quiet elegance of the lounge, now Monk’s Lounge
• Here, it’s said, he drafted Pygmalion, which later became My Fair Lady.
• Today, the George Bernard Shaw Suite celebrates his time with us, a tribute to words, wit, and wonder.

• After years of war and change, Major Patrick J. Colgan – veteran of the 1916 Easter Rising and a close friend of Michael Collins – became the hotel’s next custodian.
• Known for his warmth and character, he revived the property’s spirit. Following his passing, his wife Annie and the Fuller family continued his work, ensuring Muckross remained a cherished meeting place for locals and visitors alike.

• Dr. Paddy Fuller and his family brought a new vision to Muckross Park. Their dedication, investment, and care sustained the property for decades.
• In the late 1990s, they sold to a local syndicate, who in turn passed it to Bill Cullen and Jackie Lavin, whose restoration would soon return Muckross to glory.

• Under the stewardship of Bill Cullen and Jackie Lavin, Muckross Park Hotel was transformed.
• Their 2007 renovation added a Gothic-inspired spa, new suites, and elegant public spaces, earning the coveted 5-star accreditation from Fáilte Ireland and cementing Muckross Park’s reputation as one of Ireland’s leading luxury hotels.
• The award-winning Spa at Muckross opened during this era, a sanctuary of forest light and ancient ritual.

The original lodge dates to 1795, making it one of Killarney’s oldest hospitality landmarks.

Among many distinguished guests, playwright George Bernard Shaw spent time here in 1923, said to have worked on Pygmalion during his stay.

In 2007, after a complete restoration under Bill Cullen and Jackie Lavin, Muckross Park was awarded 5-star status by Fáilte Ireland.