Killarney National Park, designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981 is a unique area and home to the only native Irish red deer herd in Ireland. The 4,300 hectare Bourn Vincent Memorial Park forms the nucleus of the park and was presented to the Irish State in 1932 by Senator Arthur Vincent and his parents-in-law, Mr and Mrs William Bowers Bourn in memory of Senator Vincent’s late wife Maud.

In this lies, Muckross House and Gardens, one of the main focal points of the park. The former Kenmare Desmene (now Knockreer) adjacent to the town is also part of the National Park and features Killarney House and Gardens and Knockreer House which is the education centre of the park. The recently restored Killarney House now houses a permanent exhibition on the Park and is well worth a visit.

Killarney National Park contains an ecosystem of national and international importance including the native oakwoods and yew woods together with an abundance of evergreen trees and shrubs and a profusion of bryophytes and lichens which thrive in the mild Killarney climate.