[1] The 300-decare (74-acre) property called "Vibrandsøy" includes the smaller neighbouring islands of Gardsøya and Varøy in the north, and Trollholmen to the south-west.

Farming on Vibrandsøy is believed to have commenced already in the Middle Ages, but the Black Death left the island unpopulated until at least 1567.

[4] After some legal disputes concerning the estate, the Haugaland District Court ruled in 2008 that the property be sold.

Several politicians, including Haugesund's mayor opined that the municipality and Norwegian government should purchase Vibrandsøy.

[5] In 2009, the beneficiaries to the Vibrandsøy estate accepted the municipality's 15 million kr bid for the property.

An offer to sell the island for the same price in 1991 was rejected due to the municipality's weak economy at the time.