Knockreer Estate, the closest part of the National Park to the town of Killarney, is the northern portion of the former demesne lands of the Earls of Kenmare. It was bought by the State from Mrs. Beatrice Grosvenor a direct descendant of Sir Valentine Browne 1st Earl of Kenmare. Access is by way of Deenagh Lodge gate opposite the Cathedral and leads to a magnificent pastoral landscape with a fine view of the lakes and mountains especially from the gardens of Knockreer House. The house, which was the home of the Grovesnor family, is now the field study centre for the National Park.