McCoole states that the Herberts had a house on the Muckross peninsula since at least the early 18th century, on lands leased from the MacCarthaigh Mor family. A new house was constructed in the 1770s. In 1837 Lewis described Muckross as "situated in a demesne of enchanting beauty". The present Muckross House, was built between 1839-43. At the time of Griffith’s valuation it was valued at £129. It continued to be owned by the Herbert family until the 1890s, when, the family fortunes having declined, it was sold by the Standard Life Assurance Company, and purchased by Lord Ardilaun. He was the owner in 1906 when it was valued at £130. In 1910 it was sold to an American family, Bowers Bourn who in turn gave it to their daughter and son-in-law, Maud and Arthur Vincent. It was presented to the nation in 1932 and now forms the centre of the Killarney National Park.
