Bantry House and Garden

About the museum

Bantry House overlooks Bantry Bay in West Cork. It was bought in 1765 by Richard White, known as Counsellor White, when it was still called Blackrock House, and it has stayed in the family, later the Shelswell-Whites, ever since. The family rose to the peerage in the early nineteenth century, becoming Earls of Bantry. The house was opened to the public in 1946.

Between about 1820 and 1840 the second Earl, Richard White, travelled widely in Europe and built up an important collection of furniture and works of art that still fills the rooms. He also transformed the house and its formal garden into a palazzo-like estate inspired by what he had seen on the continent. In the twentieth century the house served as a hospital for five years from 1922 and was occupied by an army squadron during the Second World War. A major restoration of the garden took place in 1998, and the east wing has been restored as bed and breakfast accommodation since 1987.

Today the estate is still lived in and managed by the family. Visitors can tour the house, explore the formal garden, use the tearoom or book afternoon tea in the library. The house is also a venue for weddings and events, including concerts such as the Masters of Tradition festival, and it hosted the first West Cork Music Festival in 1998.

Highlights

• Furniture and art collected by the Earl of Bantry on his travels
• Formal garden with views over Bantry Bay
• Guided public house tour
• Tearoom and afternoon tea in the library
• Still lived in and managed by the founding family

Permanent exhibition

• Bantry House collection and rooms – The rooms of the house, with the family’s collection of furniture and works of art gathered by the Earls of Bantry.

Founded

1946

Admission & discounts

Admission prices for the house and garden are not listed on the pages consulted, and annual passes are available. Traditional afternoon tea in the library or on the terrace costs €50 per person including a self-guided visit to the house and garden and a place on the 14:00 house tour, or €40 for B&B guests, Friends of Bantry House and parties of 8 or more; it must be booked in advance.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The house is in Bantry, overlooking Bantry Bay.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The tearoom in the west wing, for ticket holders and annual pass members, serves homemade soup, sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks during the season. There is an online shop, and bed and breakfast accommodation in the east wing.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The estate is a popular venue for weddings and special events, indoors and outdoors.

Plan your visit