Bantry House, Manor house in Bantry Urban, Ireland
Bantry House is a Georgian manor overlooking Bantry Bay, set within formal gardens featuring seven terraces connected by one hundred stone steps. The landscape design creates a carefully arranged setting that descends toward the water and surrounding views.
The estate played a military role in 1796 during a French invasion attempt, when Richard White, who later became the First Earl of Bantry, monitored naval movements from this location. This moment marked its importance in the region's history for generations to come.
The house displays furnishings and artworks gathered by the Second Earl of Bantry during his travels across Europe. These collections show the continental influences that shaped the tastes of those who lived here over time.
The east wing offers bed and breakfast accommodation, while the main building and gardens are open during daylight hours. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the garden layout with its many stone steps requires some walking.
Excavations carried out in 2001 uncovered the remains of a medieval Gaelic village and an English fishing settlement beneath the grounds. These archaeological discoveries reveal the layered history of the location across many centuries.
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