The Swiss Cottage

Arrive on foot along the River Suir walking paths, and you’ll pass through a narrow, stone tunnel that brings you to what would have been the cottage’s simple kitchen. Upstairs, a charming vision of country life awaits. Thought to have been built by famous architect John Nast (of the Brighton Pavillion) in the early 1800s, the cottage was used by the wealthy Butler family for parties, picnics and soirees. It’s a place of pure fantasy – designed to emulate the simple lives of peasants but decorated with hand-painted wallpaper and graced with Venetian glass.

Downstairs, the rooms are impressive, but the small upstairs rooms of the cottage feel even more idyllic – with balconies laden with roses and twisted vines. The Butlers are thought to have only used it around seven times a year – and never slept in the cottage. However, it was inhabited in the 1960s by a Canadian family who lived here for 20 years. By the 1980s, the cottage was abandoned, derelict and being used as a shelter for horses. Thankfully, through the combined efforts of the Irish State and an American philanthropist, an extensive restoration was completed. Irish couturier Sybil Connolly supervised the interior decoration and the beautiful wallpapers, wooden chairs and upholstery you see today are down to her. A guided tour is the perfect way to unlock the secrets and stories of the Swiss Cottage, but save some time for the stunning exteriors and small grounds surrounding it.