Bantry House — Attraction in West Cork

I loved this place because it was so romantic! The big historic house, which needs saving and the family running a B&B to try and do so. ||If you love old houses, history and are a bit romantic this is the place for you. If you like everything to be new with fast internet, you might not be so well suited. ||Bantry House is a proper Georgian mansion, open to the public during the day. ||We stayed two nights so that we would have time to tour the house and gardens. Both were well worth seeing. The house tour was very informative and given, I think, by a family member. ||We arrived in the rain, and Sam (family member) helped get our bags up to our room. Our room was big, with fabulous views across Bantry Bay. It was spotlessly clean with a comfortable bed and 2 armchairs positioned to look at the sea. It was traditionally decorated. ||We were too lazy to walk the 10 minutes down into Bantry town for a meal so ordered the cheese board for two, with a glass of wine, on both nights. I really enjoyed this option; sitting looking at the view eating good Irish cheese, cracks, tomatoes, chutney etc. ||We could have had our cheeseboad in the amazing and enormous library, complete with marble columns and antique bookcases if we had wanted. Sam offered to light the fire for us, a real fire, with logs! Guests have the run of the library after public opening hours with or without a cheeseboard. Amazing. ||Breakfast was delicious and charming. There was a small cold buffet of home made scones, quality irish cheese, fruit, yoghurt, juice, nice bread .... and the traditional cooked options too. We sat at individual tables dressed in white table clothes and pretty china. Julia, family again, cooked our second breakfast. ||I loved staying at Bantry House. I'd stay again with no hesitation and thoroughly recommend it....

My husband and I stayed at Bantry House for one night on our Irish road trip and what an absolute treat it was. ||As soon as we arrived we were greeted by Sam who showed us to our room and gave us a quick tour. There is a small area with a TV, a room with an honesty bar and full sized snooker table, and when the house was closed to visitors we could sit in the large library and even light a fire in one of the large fireplaces if we wished. There was a record player in there and a selection of vinyl which one of our fellow guests made use of.||The room itself was cozy with a comfy bed, good quality tea and coffee making facilities (including china cups) and a modern warm bathroom. We had a view from our window of the gardens. At night it was so tranquil and so dark our eyes never got used to it and we had a lovely sleep. ||When the visitors to the house and gardens had left we had full run of the garden and walked up the 100 steps at the back of the garden where we had a spectacular view of the house and Bantry Bay.||We took a 10 minutes or so walk down the drive into Bantry where we had fish and chips in one of the pubs but we couldn’t wait to get back to Bantry House. ||Breakfast in the morning was lovely with a selection of cereal, fruit, pastries etc and cooked to order dishes from the kitchen.||We had a quick tour of the main part of the house before we left which was very enjoyable.||Both Sam and his sister Julie were very friendly and made us feel at home. Our only regret was that we only stayed for one night and if we are in the area again we will...

We couldn't have enjoyed our stay more. From the moment that we arrived at Bantry House B&B for our three day stay, we were greeted with such courtesy and kindness by Julie, Sam and all the staff that we felt very welcome. The privilege of enjoying beautiful Bantry House in the quiet evenings and beautiful mornings with no other visitors is unique and a little surreal. Each morning we would walk down the garden steps to the glorious view across the bay before breakfast and in the evenings we would cycle down to Bantry for supper, then explore the gardens at leisure, before settling down in front of the fire in the Library to chat and read our books. There is much to explore nearby by bike or car, Garinish Island, Whiddy Island, Sheepshead trail were some of our picks. Breakfast was very delicious, from freshly baked scones to Frank Hederman's Smoked Salmon and scrambled eggs and afternoon tea in the Library was a highlight. Our comfortable room looked out over the gardens with a Ginkgo tree rustling outside the window. The hospitality from everyone was warm and genuine and we look forward to returning again. We also enjoyed our self guided tour of the house and chat with...