House - 19th century

The National Monuments Service's description

On a bluff overlooking the River Suir at the S end of the parkland behind the Butler's main dwelling, Cahir House. This cottage orné, popularly called the Swiss Cottage, was built for the 10th Baron Caher (later the first Earl of Glengall) by Richard Butler, but probably Richard Nash's design. It is described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a 'Detached T-plan two-storey cottage orné, built 1810-14, with three-bay long sides, having bowed two-storey timberwork bay with balcony, external to canted north end of crossbar of T, and timberwork verandahs to all elevations except for west gable and bowed bay. Bow to verandah at main entrance. Undulating hipped thatched roof, pitched to west gable, punctuated by dormer windows and slate-clad chimneystacks. Timber shingles to verandahs. Painted smooth rendered walls with vartied decorative timber trellis and painted patterns throughout. Timber rustic oak posts with triagular arch detailing between posts to verandahs and to bowed bay, having latticework rail to balcony. Varying shapes of window openings, mainly pointed or triangular-headed to first floor with timber casement windows having lattice glazing. Triangular-plan oriel window to west gable. Varied glazing to ground floor windows, some with stained glass and having decorative detailing and some windows to both floors having moulded surrounds internally. Timber French doors to ground floor and balconies, with timber lattice detailing. Interior ground floor comprising round hallway with cobweb parquet floor and timber spiral staircase. Two rooms leading directly from hallway to west (Dufour Room) and east (Music Room), through square-headed timber panelled doors. Door to north elevation leads down to underground kitchen and cellar via flight of limestone steps. First floor interior comprises landing with rooms leading directly to the west (Small bedroom) and east (Master bedroom) through angular-headed timber panelled doors. Sloping ceilings, angular window openings and balconies to both rooms. Timber fireplaces to all rooms, that to Music Room having rustic timber-effect metal detailing with mirror above depicting Lady Glengall. Varying moulded covings throughout house. Some original Dufour wallpaper to western ground floor room, depicting Constantinople. Timber floorboards to all rooms. House provided with furnishings of its period. Underground tunnel with vaulted roof and whitewashed walls leading to kitchen from exterior to north-west. Cottage is located on eminence overlooking River Suir and surrounded by lawns with mature trees and bounded by rustic metal fencing designed to appear as natural trunks and branches'.

National Monument number 647

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 15 January 2014