In the early years of the nineteenth century it became fashionable for wealthy landowners to create romantic retreats, conjuring up ideas of the rustic idyll and often inspired by travel to the far flung wildernesses of North America or the Orient.

The First Earl of Bantry, having searched over his extensive lands, settled on a particular stretch of the Glengarriff River as offering the most picturesque possibilities. He had the river diverted and embanked to create an island and proceeded to create his fantastic balconied lodge where he entertained both grand and famous visitors.

The extensive woodlands were well stocked with game and exotic birds and a small herd of bison were imported from America, to add to the effect. Although most of his architectural fantasy was destroyed by fire, the location remains as magical as ever and the house has been rebuilt, still thatched, and a good deal more comfortable than Lord Bantry was able to achieve even with an army of servants.