The Swiss Cottage by The River Suir in Co. Tipperary, Ireland 1986

Restoration work to begin on a Swiss Cottage which is part of Ireland’s architectural heritage.
Situated on the banks of the River Suir near Cahir in County Tipperary, the former home of the Earl of Glengall, built in 1817. Believed to have been the Earl’s secret love nest, which could be entered by a discretely placed tunnel. The house is said to be one of the most remarkable representations of this style of architecture in Ireland. A thatched two-storey cottage it is an example cottage orné, or ornamental cottage.
Quaint and charming cottages built by the landed gentry as an amusing play thing. As the wealthy indulged a fashion of playing at being poor.
The cottage is now under the ownership of the Office of Public Works (OPW) and declared to be a national monument. Work has now begun to restore the building to its former glory. It is estimated that restoration work will cost £110,000 and is being funded by American philanthropist Sally Auld.
Paddy Walsh of Cahir Community Council believes that the cottage will be a big tourist attraction once the work has been completed. Minister for state at the Department of the Environment Avril Doyle says the cottage is,
One of the best examples in the British Isles of this type of building.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 30 October 1986. The reporter is Michael Ryan.