Rossdohan Island

Overview

Rossdohan Island sits just a few hundred metres across Kenmare Bay from the four‑star Parknasilla Hotel, near the village of Sneem in County Kerry. Covering roughly 132‑acre (138 acres recorded by the townlands service), the island is a living museum of Victorian‑era exotic horticulture. Tree ferns, New Zealand gum trees, sequoias, eucalyptus, palms and rare silver‑tree ferns mingle with native Irish woodland, creating a micro‑climate that feels more tropical than Atlantic. A hidden lily‑covered pond, the ruins of a 19th‑century mansion and a network of winding paths invite walkers, photographers and adventurous campers to lose themselves in a forgotten rainforest.

Geography & Location

• Height: 35 m above sea level (MountainViews).
• Coordinates: 51° 48′ 11″ N, 9° 52′ 0″ W (approx. Lat 51.8031, Lon ‑9.8667).
• Area: 138.44 acres / 56 ha (Townlands.ie).
• Access point: A 19th‑century stone bridge links the island to the mainland over a tidal creek; the bridge is private and may be crossed only with the landowner’s permission.
• Surroundings: Jade‑coloured waters on the eastern shore host a resident seal colony; the island lies opposite the Parknasilla Hotel and is visible from the Kenmare shoreline.

Irish name & administrative details

The Irish name for the island is Oileán Ros Dochan. It is a recognised townland in the civil parish of Kilcrohane, within the barony of Dunkerron South. The townland reference on the Ordnance Survey maps is grid reference V712 00 631 00.

History

The garden legacy began in 1874 when Anglo‑Irish surgeon Samuel Heard retired from service in India and purchased Rossdohan. Together with his Australian wife, Kate Bradley, Heard imported saplings from Australia, New Zealand, Africa and South America, planting a collection that would rival the great estate gardens of the era. In 1875 a thatched mansion rose on the eastern shore, its glazed veranda and stained‑glass windows a testament to the couple’s ambition.

During the Irish Civil War the original house was consumed by fire in 1922. A later house, also thatched, burned in the 1950s, leaving the romantic ruin that dominates the landscape today.

For much of the 20th century the island was tended by the Walker family, famed for their Dublin garden Fernhill (now a public park). The Walkers maintained the farm buildings, added further exotic specimens and kept the garden’s Victorian spirit alive.

In 2012 the island changed hands again, bought by the Parknasilla resort for a reported €2 million (Irish Times, 2020). The current owners, led by Jacqui Safra (member of the Safra banking family) and local businessman Tony Daly, have pledged to restore the gardens slowly, respecting the island’s sensitivity while allowing limited public appreciation. Safra also owns nearby Garnish Island, another historic garden island in Kenmare Bay.

The owners have consulted TV gardener and writer Gerry Daly (brother of Tony Daly) on the restoration programme, emphasizing a careful, phased approach rather than commercial development.

Local Lore

A small sea stack just off the island’s western tip is known locally as Scott’s Rock, named after architect Michael Scott, whose family had long‑standing ties to the Kenmare area. Scott visited the island in the 1970s while tracing his ancestry, and the rock has since become a minor landmark for boaters and kayakers.

What to See & Do

Walking the Jungle‑Like Paths

The island’s network of trails weaves through towering gum trees whose trunks can exceed five metres in girth, past giant ferns that seem to disappear into the canopy. Visitors often remark that the scale of the vegetation makes a person feel miniature, a sensation amplified by the occasional sight of purple loosestrife carpeting the forest floor.

The Ruined House and Farm Buildings

The romantic ruin on the eastern shore offers a dramatic backdrop for photography. Its crumbling walls and open windows frame sweeping views of Kenmare Bay, while nearby farmhouses renovated by the Walkers provide a glimpse of the island’s more recent habitation.

Lily Pond and Hidden Water Features

A tranquil pond, overgrown with lilies, lies in a secluded glade. The water’s surface reflects the surrounding foliage, creating a perfect setting for early‑morning or sunset photography. The pond’s ambience has inspired campers to set up tents for an overnight stay, though this requires prior permission.

Flora Highlights

• New Zealand kauri and gum trees – massive conifers with trunks up to five metres in girth.
• Giant sequoia – one of the few specimens in Ireland.
• Eucalyptus – aromatic leaves that lend a faintly Australian scent.
• Bamboo groves – fast‑growing clumps that add a tropical feel.
• Camellias and rhododendrons – flowering shrubs that bloom in spring.
• Silver‑tree ferns – rare Irish ferns that thrive in the humid micro‑climate.

Wildlife

The eastern shoreline is known for its jade‑coloured waters and a resident seal colony. In the humid micro‑climate, a distinctive mosquito species has been recorded, along with other alien insects that thrive among the exotic plants.

Camping and Photography

The island’s isolation and lush scenery make it a coveted spot for night‑time camping and astrophotography. The ruins, illuminated by sunrise, provide a dramatic silhouette, while the pond reflects the changing light throughout the day. Camping is only permitted with explicit consent from the Parknasilla Estate.

Access & Visiting

• Public view: The island can be admired from boat trips departing from Sneem or Kenmare.
• Landing: Walking onto the island requires permission from the Parknasilla Hotel estate. The stone bridge may be crossed with the landowner’s consent, or a private boat can be chartered.
• Guided walks: The estate occasionally organises guided walks for small groups; enquiries should be made in advance.
• Photography permits: Required for commercial shoots; contact the estate for rates and conditions.
• Camping: Allowed only with prior written permission; visitors must adhere to a strict leave‑no‑trace policy.

Practical Visiting Tips

• Parking: There is no public parking on the island. Visitors should park at the Parknasilla Hotel car park or in Sneem and arrange transport.
• Nearest towns: Kenmare (≈5 km) and Sneem (≈2 km) provide amenities such as cafés, shops and accommodation.
• Booking: Access is arranged on a case‑by‑case basis. Contact the Parknasilla Hotel reception by phone or email to request permission for walks, photography or camping.
• Facilities: No visitor facilities exist on the island; bring water, food and appropriate clothing.
• Season: The garden is at its most vibrant in late spring and early summer, but the seal colony can be observed year‑round.

Practical Information

Access – Rossdohan is private property. Visitors can view the island from boat trips departing from Sneem or Kenmare, but landing on the island requires permission from the Parknasilla Hotel estate. An arched stone bridge, built in the 19th century, links the island to the mainland; the bridge is traversable only with the landowner’s consent.

Admission – There is no public admission fee, as the island is not open to unrestricted entry. Arrangements for guided walks, photography sessions or camping must be coordinated directly with the estate.

Opening Hours – The island does not operate on a public schedule. Access is arranged on a case‑by‑case basis, typically during daylight hours for safety.

Facilities – No permanent visitor facilities exist on Rossdohan. Those granted access should bring their own supplies and adhere to a leave‑no‑trace ethic, respecting the fragile garden and historic ruins.

Contact – For enquiries about access, photography permits or camping, contact the Parknasilla Hotel (the owners of the island) via their main reception line or website.

Further Reading & Media – A visual account of a recent camping adventure can be viewed on YouTube: Rossdohan Camping Adventure.

Rossdohan Island remains one of Ireland’s most enigmatic private gardens – a place where Victorian ambition meets wild, untamed growth. With careful planning and respect for its delicate ecosystem, visitors can experience a slice of tropical paradise set against the rugged beauty of Kerry’s coastline.