The island was fashioned by nature. Picturesque and enchanting, sheltered and secure.
Its strategic location, in a pivotal position near Waterford city and its
important port, brought it historical fame and caused it to play a major
role in the history of the region. It reaches back into time, a time capsule
that reflects history.
According to tradition, a Monastic settlement existed on the island sometime
between the sixth and eighth centuries and two "finds" on the
land have lent substance to this.
A winged angel, dating from the 8th century and the crude carving of a Monk's head, which is now prominently displayed over the main entrance to the castle, dating from the 6th century. The island's seclusion was attractive to the Monks, however due to its strategic importance they came under frequent attack and were eventually forced to move to safer quarters.
The island was then home to a Danish settlement, with two castles guarding
the river at the North and South, and was thereafter referred to in annals
as Dane's Island or Island Vryk.
Maurice Fitzgerald, cousin of Strongbow, the English Earl of Pembroke, landed
in Waterford during the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1160. During a battle
he was taken prisoner by the Ossermen of Waterford and held on the island
until rescued by his son-in-law to rejoin the victorious Norman Army.
He was rewarded for his support of the invasion by becoming potentate over large tracts of land in Munster and Leinster, including the island on which he decided to make his home, thus sealing the fate of the island for eight centuries, being home to the Earls ofKildare and Ormond and the Knights ofGlin and Kerry, in one of the longest unbroken stewardships on record in Ireland.
The first structure built by the Kfyeralds was a Norman Keep; a tower like stone structure with thick walls, narrow arrow slit windows and a lead roof. At that time the keep would have been the core of any defence in battle and would have been virtually impregnable.
By the 15th century, the ruins of the keep were no longer habitable. A tower, the centre part of the present castle, was then constructed on the site of the old keep. Initially it was relatively modest in size but, over the years, was enlarged. Firstly in 1849 by John Fitzgerald and subsequently in 1875 and 1895 when the east and west wings were added. Built entirely of stone, they completed the main structure to such an extent that, now, they are indistinguishable. Up until the present century the castle retained its original arrow slit windows, giving a fortress like exterior and a rather dark uncomfortable interior.
It was during the last stage of expansion that the farm buildings and stable yard were completed developing the island to support an entire community.
Another feature added to the castle during the centuries was the rooftop gargoyles. Brought here from Castle Irwell in Manchester, which belonged to a female ancestor, they are of great antiquity and interest. The Fitzgeralds were, during the 15th and 16th centuries, the kings of Ireland in all but name and held many feasts and banquets on the island.
The castle was never out of the social limelight and figured prominently in the 18th century as the home of Mary Frances Fifyerald, a formidable lady, who dominated the social world of the time. At one stage engaged to the Duke of Wellington - The Iron Duke, who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and later became a British Prime Minister - she broke off the engagement to marry her first cousin, John Purcell in 1801. An extravagant lady who was in the habit, on her return to the family seat, of being rowed in state across the river with twenty-four musicians playing in the barge.
Of her children Edward Fitzgerald is best remembered as the translator of Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat. The Sylvan tranquility of this island retreat brought forth its rewards and it was and still is considered a masterpiece.
Edward Fitzgerald was the great, great uncle of Mary Fitzgerald, who was the last of that name to own the castle. Mary Fitzgerald married an Italian Prince, Prince Caracciolo, whom she met while studying in Italy. On their return they made their home in Dublin, where she was a prominent patron of the Arts.
In 1958, the Igo family who came from Rhodesia bought the property from the Princess Caracciolo, thus ending the remarkable link between the Fitzgeralds and the Island. The Igos installed a five acre complex of glasshouses from which they produced fruits and flowers, sold extensively on the home and export markets. The chain link ferry was also commissioned at this time.
Their interest in the venture and the island passed to the Farren Brothers who concentrated on tomato growing, updating the roads and fencing throughout the island. In 1978 the island was rented to Roger Shipsey, a Waterford Pedigree Dairy Farmer, who later bought the island outright. He saw a great advantage of the island as a disease free area due to its isolation.
Eddie Reams, who bought The Island in 1987 has both preserved its past and secured its future by opening the beauty of the castle and the island to all visitors by developing it into a luxurious Hotel and Country Club.
