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SWISS COTTAGE
Cahir, County Tipperary
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The Swiss Cottage was built by John Nash in 1810 on orders
from the Butlers who owned . The cottage is a splendid example of cottage
orné, meaning a rustic folly. Lord and Lady
Cahir, the Butlers, enjoyed hosting picnics here dressed
as Irish peasants, as it was a popular past time for the
nobility of the time to play "dress up." Dressed
as peasants, the Butlers would entertain and serve their
guests.
This folly, a whimsical structure, was intended to blend
in with the countryside with all designs drawn from nature.
The idea was that this cottage was to appear to have sprung
up from the earth. This meant that every window and door
was slightly different from the next. Verandah supports
have the appearance of growing from the ground with vines
growing up around the eaves. Inside the
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house, fireplace surrounds have been hand made to look
like cut logs, wallpaper is of rustic scenes, curtains
and room fabrics match in a woodland pattern, and furniture
is also hand made and slightly irregular, also based on
nature. Even the china has an out of doors pattern on
them. Nothing was spared.
It's amazing to think that this house was actually in
ruins until about 1990 when it was bought by an American
woman who wanted to use it as a summer house on her trips
to Ireland. Up until then it had been used by the local
kids as a sort of hang out. It was even more surprising
that many of the original features were in tact, including
the spider web patterned timber floor in the foyer.
The new owner couldn't afford the restoration so it eventually
found its way into the hands of the state who now run
it as an example of the early 19th century gentry lifestyle.
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The Swiss Cottage contains several charmingly decorated
rooms though it should be noted that photographs are no
longer allowed to be taken inside the house.
The house is access either by a mile long path beside
Cahir Castle or by driving down to the car park from the
town. There is a short walk from the car park through
the woods along the River Suir to the entrance, which
is actually through the old kitchen.
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~ Paid attraction
~ Parking available
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Walk through woods from car park and over the river, steps
into addmissions, limited wheelchair access, tour includes
multiple levels, alternative parking for disabled and
path around the cottage to enter
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