Press release
OPW Celebrates 30 years of stewardship at The Swiss Cottage
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Today sees a series of events taking place to mark the 30th Anniversary of the OPW’s Stewardship of the Swiss Cottage, Cahir, Co Tipperary. The festivities will be held between 12 noon and 5pm and admission to the famous cottage is free of charge for the day.
Speaking about the celebrations, Minister for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD said:
“The Swiss Cottage is one of the most charming examples of the “cottage orné” style and so called because it closely resembles alpine homes of that particular period. The cottage has been painstakingly and lovingly restored since 1985 before being transferred to the Office of Public Works and opened to the public in 1989. It is a very well loved and popular tourist attraction and this Sunday’s festivities represent an excellent opportunity for the public to visit this beautiful cottage and location."
The Cottage was originally built in 1810 by Richard and Emily Butler, 1st Earl and Countess of Glengall to the design of the renowned Regency Architect John Nash, as a fashionable retreat for entertainment while hunting, fishing, picnics and soirees. The Cottage remained in the family until 1961 when purchased by the Land Commission and used by subsequent tenants until 1980, after which time it fell rapidly into a state of disrepair. In 1985, thanks to the foresight and assistance of American philanthropist, Mrs Sally Aall, Cahir Community Council, the Georgian Society, FAS and architect Austin Dunphy a full programme of restoration was undertaken and in 1989 the Cottage was presented to the Nation, through the OPW, for all to appreciate.
The Minister continued:
“It is a pleasure to be here today, to view this exquisite Cottage in such a romantic location and to enjoy the great music by “The Galtee Mountain Boys” here on the front lawn. It’s great to see this property once more reliving those halcyon days of the 1st Earl as a venue for entertainment as it was originally envisaged.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact OPW Client Services and Communications at 087 147 0617 or opwcsc@opw.ie
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The Swiss Cottage, Ardfinnan Road, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. E21 DX07
Opening Hours:
15 March – 26 October 2019
10:00 – 18:00 – Last Admission – 17:15
27 October – 2 November 2019
09:30 – 17:00 – Last Admission – 16:15
3 November 2019
09:30 – 15:30 – Last Admission – 14:45
Site closes for 2019 from 4 November
Admission by Guided Tours only
For further information on all OPW Heritage Sites, including opening times, please see www.heritageireland.ie.