Muckross says farewell to one of its sons

It was apt that Killarney National Park should look its most blooming yesterday for an occasion to celebrate the life of someone whose family’s generosity led to its creation.

AWB (Billy) Vincent was born in Muckross House, Killarney, in 1919, and, though he lived in far-flung exotic lands, he never lost his love for the place that is now the centrepiece of the national park. A prominent philanthropist, he died in Monaco last October, aged 93.

His wealthy father and grandfather gifted the 12,000-acre Muckross estate, including the house, to the people of Ireland in 1932, later incorporated into the national park.