In addition to the magnificent natural landscapes and spectacular scenery of the Irish Killarney national Park is famous for various historical and architectural monuments, among which special attention deserves and Franciscan monastery - Muckross Abbey - or rather, its ruins. The ancient monastery is located in the heart of the reserve is approximately a ten minute walk from no less interesting Muckross house and are available to visitors year-round and absolutely free.

Muckross Abbey was founded by monks of the Franciscan order in 1448 on the ruins of an older monastery, built, according to legend, the Holy Fionna in the 6th century. During its turbulent history the monastery was repeatedly attacked and looted, and the monks were forced to leave the Holy abode. Finally as the monks left the Abbey in the late 17th century.

Today Muckross Abbey is in pretty poor condition, although the monastery walls steadfastly resist time and you can still see the Church, the bell tower and surrounded by a vaulted arcade of the Central courtyard. In the center of the courtyard grows a huge old yew, which, according to the Irish, as many years as the Abbey.

Near the monastery walls you will see an old cemetery where lie the remains of some members of the families of the once powerful local clans. Here found their last resting place and such famous Irish poets like O Donahue, O'sullivan and O'reilly. The cemetery of the Abbey of Muckross and to this day is valid, so close to old moss-grown gravestones and tilted crosses, inscriptions on which it is impossible to distinguish, and there are fresh graves.