[10][11] Willie Harcourt-Cooze's father bought Horse Island, where he started farming and living a self-sufficient life.

[12][13] For some years, the island was owned by Gert Kölbel, a wealthy German (inventor of the Bullworker),[14] who renovated a few of the buildings in the 1980s.

[15] By the time they listed it for sale in 2018, "The island has seven houses, including a six-bedroom main home, plus a pier, helipad, gym, tennis court ... its own electricity, water and sewage systems" according to The Guardian.

[16] Another source added that the island also included "six guesthouses and guest cottages", three diesel generators, wind turbines" and pipes to an underwater aquifer for drinking water.

[17] In 2014, an attempt had been made by the Fitzgibbon family to set up an Irish whiskey distillery and visitor centre on the island, but planning permission was refused by An Bord Pleanála.