The Swiss Cottage is a home orné – a fantastical manifestation of an idealised countryside cottage used for picnics, modest soirees, fishing and hunting parties, as well as a tranquil refuge for people who resided in the neighbouring great house – located just outside the heritage town of Cahir.
Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Glengall, is said to have persuaded world-famous Regency architect John Nash to create it in the early 1800s. Originally called simply as “The Chalet,” it appears to have gained its current moniker as a result of its resemblance to an Alpine cottage.
A beautiful spiral staircase and numerous wonderfully designed chambers may be seen on the inside. The wallpaper is partially original and partly the result of a restoration project in the 1980s, which was overseen by renowned fashion designer Sybil Connolly.
