The isolation of Inishrath Island on Upper Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh has proven too much for its current owner, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which is registered as a charity both here and in Northern Ireland.
After 17 years, the island's community of 10 people is now looking to swap the seclusion of the Ulster lakelands for the less tranquil environs of Dublin.
The 21-acre island, complete with exquisite scenery and a vast Victorian house, is on the market through joint agents Sotheby's International Realty - whose affiliate William Montgomery, based in Co Down. is handling local enquiries - and Ganly Walters for £950,000 sterling.
According to Martin Davis, a director of the Northern Ireland branch of ISKCON, the remoteness of Inishrath means they get less visitors than they would like. "We have to put on a practical head. If we stayed here we might be waiting years to reach people," he says.
Inishrath is 20 miles from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, and 20 miles from Cavan town. Formerly part of the Earl of Erne's Crom Estate, it is 300 yards from the mainland and is accessible by boat and landing craft from its own pier and a new floating landing stage on the island.
The house, which was once used as the Earl of Erne's shooting lodge, is surrounded by wild flower meadows and mature trees. It has a number of outhouses. including a log store, coal store, oil central heating boiler room and laundry room.
According to Sotheby's, the house is structurally sound but needs a lot of work, as it is currently designed for communal living.
The bathrooms have been taken out but, if restored to its original state, the agents say the house could accommodate eight bedrooms and four reception rooms.
The agents believe it has potential for a small hotel or as a residence for someone hankering after the ultimate in privacy and seclusion.
There are fine walks around the island and several points of access to the shore. Two lodges on the grounds are also included in the sale.
Upper Lough Erne is connected by canal to the Shannon navigations system. The lakes are visited by ornithologists, anglers and boating enthusiasts.
