unforgettable

The stunning Swiss Cottage looks like it’s been plucked from a fairy tale and opens to the public from 12 March 2026 in a charming Irish village near historic Cahir Castle

Nestled just beyond a quaint historic Irish village sits a stunning cottage that appears to have been lifted straight from the pages of a storybook – and visitors are welcome to step inside.

The Swiss Cottage is what’s known as a cottage orné, meaning it’s an exquisitely crafted small retreat that served the neighbouring estate.

Constructed in the early 1800s by Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Glengall, it functioned as a charming rural picnic destination, a meeting point for the local hunt, or simply a tranquil escape from everyday life.

According to Heritage Ireland, it’s thought to have been the work of renowned Regency architect John Nash.

The Swiss Cottage most likely earned its name due to its striking resemblance to an Alpine dwelling, reports the Irish Mirror.

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But the magic doesn’t stop at the façade. Inside, a winding spiral staircase leads visitors through elegantly appointed rooms.

The walls feature wallpaper that offers a glimpse into the past. This design was painstakingly recreated during the cottage’s 1980 restoration.

The stunning interior was the vision of celebrated fashion designer Sybil Connolly, who oversaw the entire décor.

One delighted Trip Advisor user said they “still can’t stop thinking about this place.”

They added: “When we reached Swiss Cottage after a walk through the green park, I felt like I was caught in a fairy tale.

“Everything around us froze, and a house from another era opened up to us — romantic, mysterious, magical. I’ve never seen that before.

“This wave-shaped straw ceiling, carved wooden parts, windows of all shapes, as if specially made for dreams… and inside is a real masterpiece!”.

“Rare Parisian wallpaper, spiral staircase, fine details. Everything says beauty for beauty’s sake. It’s not just architecture — it’s mood.

“A place where you want to sit with a cup of tea on the veranda and just watch the leaves rustle. I think I left a piece of my soul there. A true miracle that cannot be forgotten.”

The cottage opens its doors to visitors from 12 March 2026. For those wanting to extend their visit, nearby Cahir Castle makes an excellent addition to the itinerary.

This 13th-century fortress stands as one of Ireland’s finest preserved medieval castles. Perched dramatically on rocky outcrops beside the River Suir, it has featured as a filming location for numerous historical productions.

The castle provided the setting for acclaimed period dramas including Excalibur and The Tudors, which starred Henry Cavill.

Previously the home of the powerful Butler dynasty, Heritage Ireland notes that this prominent Anglo-Norman family occupied the castle for almost 600 years following James Butler, the 3rd Earl of Ormond, receiving it in 1375.

The fortress was considered impregnable, offering the Butlers protection against all dangers.

Yet this belief was shattered in 1599 when the Earl of Essex mounted a devastating military assault on the stronghold.

Dani Dyer, Gabby Allen and Emily Seebohm all passed the gruelling course in North Africa

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins ended with a bang, as it celebrated an all-female line up of winners for the second time in the show’s history. Dani Dyer, Gabby Allen and Emily Seebohm all passed the “horrendous” course, while finalists Ben Cohen and Mack Horton stood down.

Airing on 26 January, the final of eight episodes of Celebrity SAS saw the five finalists face one last test. Over the previous episodes, Chief Instructor Billy Billingham and his Directing Staff, Jason Fox, Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver, put fourteen recruits from the UK and Australia through a condensed selection course designed that stripped them of sleep and tested their strength.

READ MORE: Celebrity SAS’ Ben Cohen chokes up as he discusses dad’s ‘savage’ deathREAD MORE: Three stars leave Celebrity SAS as Neighbours actor quits over mental health concerns

Some chose to withdraw and others were culled from the process, but Dani, Gabby, Emily, Ben and Mack all made it to the final test – interrogation. During the test, both Ben and Mack chose to quit, making the women the winners.

Chief Instructor Billy delivered the final verdict: “Eight days ago you came from both sides of the world. Fourteen arrived. Three stand before us. Just because you stand on the finish line doesn’t mean you’ve passed this course.” Not leaving the three in suspense, he then added: “It’s a rare moment to say — congratulations to all three of you. You’ve passed this course.”

Looking back on the achievement, Dani said it was “horrendous”. She said: “Every single moment was horrendous. But to hear that I’d passed — it’s the best feeling in the world. If I can do this, I can do anything.”

She added: “I definitely am a lot stronger than what I think I am…I can’t believe I’ve actually been able to do it. I’m really proud of myself.” When she realised all the winning recruits were women Dani continued: “I love it because we are strong women. We go through so much as women, mentally and physically.

“That final day with the interrogations and the noises, the animals in our ears, the pig noises, the scratching, it was awful. I thought I’d messed up. I thought I grassed everyone up. That was in my head. But we are strong women. We really are.”

Olympic swimmer Emily said she wasn’t surprised that three women won. ““I wasn’t surprised it was the three women, but I was surprised the two guys (Ben and Mack) didn’t make it because they were so strong. I was always trying to keep up with them during tasks, so to not see them at the end was shocking.”

Gabby said she thought they three of them were “boss b***hes” for getting through the ordeal. ““I can’t believe that out of fourteen people, it’s us. Well, I can — because we’re boss b***hes. Standing there with two women at the end meant everything to me. My whole brand is about empowering women from every walk of life. Men are strong, but women show time and time again that we can do just as much. We were lifting the same weights, trying just as hard. I wouldn’t have wanted to be there at the end with anyone else. We built a bond you could never replicate.”

Gabby and Dani both rose to fame on dating show Love Island, with Dani winning series four, and Gabby taking the crown in All Stars two. “The whole cast surprised me in different ways but Dani surprised me,” Gabby said.

“I felt protective of her, but she held her own and never gave up. Standing next to her at the end was incredible. Two girls from Love Island showing everyone what we can do.”

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is available to stream on Channel 4.

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