Someone put the lockdown to good use.

While the rest of us were finishing jigsaw puzzles and baking banana bread, a savvy buyer was putting the finishing touches on a deal to purchase Horse Island, a spectacular, fully developed and entirely private island situated in Roaring Water Bay, off the coast of Schull.

Now, estate agents, Colliers International have confirmed that the island has sold “for an undisclosed price to an anonymous ultra-high-net-worth European buyer” following months of negotiations during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Horse Island was launched on the Irish and International markets by Callum Bain of Colliers International Dublin in conjunction with Ron Krueger of Engle & Volker, Kinsale Co Cork on the instructions of the owner.

In February 2020, the appointed selling agents issued an asking price of €5.5 million. There was considerable interest from all corners of the globe, particularly the USA, Asia, continental Europe and the United Kingdom, resulting in two parties bidding for the property, located only a short boat trip from the mainland harbours of Dreenatra Pier and Rossbrien Pier or the fishing ports of Schull and Baltimore.

The 157-acre property includes private sandy beaches, a six-bedroom mansion and six guest houses and cottages – all with amazing views to the bay and sea.

The living room in the main house boasts double-height ceilings and extra-large panoramic windows to soak in the views over Roaring Water Bay all the way to Cape Clear Island and the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse.

There’s a private master suite with en suite bathroom and dressing room as well as access to the roof terrace for dolphin spotting over those tranquil morning coffees. This would also be a picture-perfect spot from which to watch the annual Fastnet Sailing Race.

To the rear, an enclosed decked courtyard is an alfresco diner’s paradise. There’s a choice of open or sheltered seating, a charcoal-fired barbecue and a wood-fired pizza oven.

The new owners won’t need to go far to pick up a decent red to go with their pizza either; the outbuildings consist of store areas and a large wine cellar.

Extensive walkways through and around the island provide access to all areas including the many sandy beaches, pastures and the shipwreck playhouse. There’s a tennis court too and they can soothe their aching muscles afterwards with a sauna in the guest house.