Bantry House

Dating back to 1750 this stately home sits in an elevated position with magnificent views across Bantry Bay. The current owner, descendant of the Earls of Bantry, Egerton Shelswell-White opens the house and garden to the public who, with information sheets in hand, tour its lofty rooms and admire its elegant furniture, tapestries and paintings, retiring afterwards to the tearoom in the original kitchen of the house. Yet this is a stately home with a difference for one entire wing of the house has been renovated to provide six large airy guestrooms, each with a top of the line bathroom. I was particularly impressed with room 25, its curving wall of windows and window seats overlooking the bay. Breakfast is prepared for you in the smartly decorated dining room in what used to be one of the old cellars. At night toast your toes by the fire in the little lounge, help yourself to drinks from the honesty bar, play billiards in the enormous billiard room.  During the day if you wish, you can slip through the concealed door into the long gallery to wander at leisure through the museum like rooms of this grand old home. Small Groups are welcome and personal tours of the house and garden can be arranged if notified in advance. There are several restaurants that you can walk to in town.