200th Anniversary of the Swiss Cottage
Cahir's world famous Swiss Cottage is two hundred years old this year and the Office of Public Works (OPW), who look after the cottage and the castle, would like to invite you to a fun day to celebrate the anniversary. A number of interesting and informative events and demonstrations are planned (see below) so come along to the cottage and enjoy a good day out with the family.
For more information and photos of the cottage go here
Saturday 17th July from 12:00 to 5:00pm
Entry is FREE
WILDLIFE IN CAHIR PARK
Experience the Southern Region FisheriesBoard /Inland Fisheries' live display of fish, macro-invertebrates, plants and insects which are present in the River Suir.
Angling demonstrations and tutoring will be offered in conjunction with Cahir & District Anglers' Association.
Coillte, Ireland's forestry agency, will provide displays and information & host informative woodland walks during the day.
An introduction to the birds of Cahir Park with Kevin Collins of BirdWatch Ireland.
RIVERSIDE WALK
Why not park in Cahir Castle car park and follow in the footsteps of the Earl & Countess of Glengall by strolling along the 1.6 km riverside walk to Swiss Cottage.
TRADITIONAL CRAFTS
Anthony Flynn of the OPW will showcase the traditional skills involved in the ancient craft of thatching.
David Skinner, who restored the cottage's scenic Dufour wallpaper, will demonstrate the making of traditional hand made wallpaper.
Edward Byrne, The Traditional Lime Company, will make and demonstrate the use of lime-based mortars and renders.
Damien Condon will showcase the art of decorative plasterwork.
Philip Quinn “Stonemad” will demonstrate the craft of stonecarving, with audience participation.
Patsy Cahill will display his skills in the traditional art of willow basket making.
John O'Donoghue will demonstrate the skill of copper artwork.
Kevin Holbrook & Roy Thorpe will display and demonstrate the craft skills of scagliola (marble plaster technique) & other forms of decorative plasterwork.
On The Day
Blessed with fine weather the day was a resounding success. For the first hour or so there was a constant flow of visitors but it was not too crowded. Then people started to come in bigger numbers and car parking became difficult. We heard that over 2000 people attended throughout the afternoon.
There was a great deal of interest in all of the displays and demontrations and the cottage guides were kept very busy.
Above - A Swiss Cottage Guide explains the cottage to an attentive group of visitors.
Right - The Cottage was looking resplendent in the sunshine.
Below - Early visitors were able to enjoy the tranquility but after an hour or so the crowds got much larger. This panoramic image is made from eight separate photos.
Left - David Skinner demonstrates the making of hand printed wallpaper using a stencil. Screen printing is the more common, and less labour intensive, method.
Above - Demonstating a variety of thatching methods.
Right - Georgian buildings often have a lime-based rendering on the corners that is made to look like alternating blocks. Here a craftsman demonstrates the surface decoration that is sometimes applied to these 'blocks'.