the herbert family owned the land on the muckross peninsula from 1770 onwards. they became very wealthy from copper mines on this land. henry arthur herbert and his wife—the water colourist mary balfour herbert—finished building muckross house in 1843. the herbert's financial situation became precarious in the late 19th century, and the muckross estate was purchased by lord ardilaun of the guinness brewing family in 1899.