As part of the 200-year anniversary of the iconic Swiss cottage situated in Cahir, Co Tipperary, a family day will be held tomorrow.
The Swiss cottage was built around 1810 at Kilcommon, Cahir, County Tipperary. The building is a very fine example of cottage ornée, or ornamental cottage. It was originally part of the estate of Lord and Lady Cahir, and used mainly as a hunting and fishing lodge and for entertaining guests. The cottage was probably designed by Anglo-Welsh architect John Nash 1752-1835, famous for his designing of much of Regency London.
John Nash came to work in Ireland as an architect after 1793 and also designed St Paul’s Church of Ireland church in Cahir, which was built in 1818 and one of only two known Nash designed churches to survive.
Cahir, may have been built by Richard Butler, 12th Baron Caher, 1st Earl of Glengall (1775-1819), who married in 1793, Emily Jeffereys, daughter of James St John Jeffereys of Blarney Castle, Co.Cork. Milady Cahir is referred to by Napoleon Bonaparte’s Josephine ( Joséphine de Beauharnais) in connection with the Château de Malmaison, latter formerly her residence and was from 1800 to 1802 the headquarters of the French government.
The Swiss Cottage, after many years of shameful neglect, was fully and painstakingly restored by the OPW starting in 1985 and was opened to the public again in 1989.
The family day will include an angling demonstration, guided woodland walks and demonstrations of traditional crafts such as thatching and stone carving. Admission for the day is free and programme of events start at 12.00 noon tomorrow until 5.00pm. If you are out and about for a leisurely drive this weekend, this event is well worth a visit.
A reminder to our many readers that on Wednesday next, March 2nd, 2022; latter being the first Wednesday of the month, there will be FREE entry to most Office of Public Works, (OPW) Heritage sites, both here in Co. Tipperary and nationally.
For a list of free OPW sites in Co. Tipperary and their opening times, together with their terms and conditions, please visit the following links:-
Access to most OPW-managed heritage sites will remain free to visit on the first Wednesday of every month, again this year.
Families looking for a cheap day out in areas around Ireland, now have no excuse to remain caged up at home, over the coming weekends, for the duration of the upcoming holiday season.
So if you want to visit the towns of Thurles, Cashel, Cahir, Clonmel, Roscrea, Nenagh, or even further afield, with your family, now is your chance at very reasonable cost for your outing.
Do remember that Tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid delays at some of the busier sites.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) are pleased to announce that as and from today (6/4/2016), or on the first Wednesday of every month, during 2016, all their managed Heritage Sites in Tipperary and throughout Ireland will offer FREE ADMISSION to individuals wishing to visit their sites, for the duration of their tourism opening season.
* Note: Where an asterisk is shown above; same venues are open all year-round while others may have more limited seasonal periods of operation.
Details on the above venues and other national Irish tourist attractions can be found by simply clicking HERE
That means sites like Kilkenny Castle and Clonmacnoise, which usually charge €17 for a family visit, the recently-restored Kilmainham Gaol (€16) and Ross Castle in Killarney (€10), won’t cost a cent to visit, except perhaps for parking in some instances.
Tickets will be allocated on a ‘first come / first served’ basis with normal conditions of admission applying at all sites. Visitors may experience delays at some of the busier sites and are therefore advised to arrive early.
If allocated a time, visitors are asked to arrive promptly for the start of their tour. There is no guarantee that visitors who miss their allocated tour-slot can be accommodated at a later time. Children must be supervised at all times and access to some sites will be by guided tour only. Visitors are also warned that opening times can change at short notice.
So please, old age pensioners & those enjoying free travel, do take advantage and use this opportunity “To see old Ireland free.”
This Wednesday, April 1st, history comes alive across Ireland, but nowhere more vividly than in the heart of Tipperary. As part of the popular “Free Wednesday” initiative, visitors are invited to step beyond the everyday and into centuries of rich heritage, with free access to nearly 40 iconic sites nationwide. From majestic castles to hidden architectural gems, this unique opportunity opens doors, literally and figuratively, to Ireland’s past, offering unforgettable experiences for families, explorers, and culture enthusiasts alike.
The Swiss Cottage, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
In Co. Tipperary, the spotlight shines brightly on a remarkable collection of historic landmarks, including Cahir Castle, Ormond Castle, Roscrea Castle, and the enchanting Swiss Cottage. These sites, steeped in stories of medieval power, elegant design, and rural life, showcase the county’s extraordinary contribution to Ireland’s built heritage. Many locations across the country have also recently reopened following conservation efforts, adding a renewed sense of discovery for returning and first-time visitors alike.
With no booking required and access granted on a first-come, first-served basis, this is a rare chance to immerse yourself in Ireland’s cultural legacy; completely free of charge. Whether wandering through ancient halls, admiring intricate craftsmanship, or simply soaking up the atmosphere of centuries gone by, tomorrow Wednesday promises a journey through time not to be missed.
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