Entirely independent, with all mod-cons, Horse Island, is a private island close to Schull, that's 157 acres, with seven homes, and an extraordinary array of birds and wildlife.
Having been fully and sympathetically re-developed Horse Island, off the West Cork coast is on the market for $7,530,120.48 and includes seven houses.
Advertised on Private Islands Online, Horse Island is described as being "a unique private retreat second to none and offers the perceptive buyer utter tranquillity and privacy in the fast-paced modern world."
An aerial shot of Horse Island in Cork.
The island has seven homes including the main house, with six bedrooms. All the properties have amazing views of the sea. Horse Island is completely self-contained, regarding electricity, water and sewage treatment. The island also includes a farm, a helicopter pad, pier, slip, beaches, private tennis court, a gym, and games house.
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The original Victorian-era copper mining village had long been abandoned but the fully renovated island offers all the luxuries of modern life. The island boasts of views over Roaringwater Bay, out onto the Atlantic with the famous Fastnet Rock lighthouse.
The amazing beaches on Horse Island.
The main house
The main house is elevated with views of Roaringwater Bay on all sides. The two-story stone-built residence has six bedrooms on a total floor area of c. 4,500 sq ft. The house features outstanding living accommodation with the main living area separating the guest wing from the owner’s accommodation. The guest wing incorporates five bedrooms, two on the ground floor with bathroom and three on the first floor with bathroom.
The sitting room in the main house on Horse Island.
To the rear is an enclosed decked courtyard with full protection from the elements. The courtyard contains two seating areas, charcoal-fired BBQ and a wood-fired pizza oven. The outbuildings consist of store areas and a large wine cellar.
Horse Island on Google Maps, just off Schull in West Cork.
The Village - guest houses and cottages
In the middle of the island, near the pier and boathouse, a total of six completely private residential houses and cottages, including a private village of guest accommodation.
Other homes and farm
One of the beaches on Horse Island.
The island also includes the homes Pier House (two-bed), Well house (three-bed), Pump House (two-bed), Beach House (three-bed), White Cottage (one-bed), and Stone Cottage (one-bed).
The island’s farmyard consists of the main cattle shed, an implement shed as well workshop and generator shed. All sheds are situated around a concrete yard.
One of the many homes on Horse Island.
Horse Island history
Horse Island once had a thriving copper industry, which operated from 1820 to 1874. The remnants of this can still be seen on the island.
Old maps show that there were several mine shafts on the island and the Topographical Dictionary Of Ireland, in 1837, reported that the mines yielded very pure ore and were extensively worked by the West Cork Mining Company.
In 1841 the population peaked at 137 people, most of whom were employed in the mines, however, by 1965 all the inhabitants had left the island. Some of the ruins of the old village and managers’ houses can still be seen on the island.
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Here's a video showcasing Horse Island:
What do you think? Could you and your family live on Horse Island? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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