Bantry House & Garden

Bantry House is the ancestral home of the Earls of Bantry which is situated overlooking Bantry Bay in West Cork. The title lapsed in 1891 but the house is still owned and lived in by the direct descendants of the 1st Earl of Bantry. Since 1946 the house and garden has been open to the public. The house has an important collection of art treasures mainly collected by the 2nd Earl of Bantry on his grand tour. The garden was inspired by travels of the 2nd Earl. It is laid out in the Italian style over seven terraces, with the house sitting on the third terrace. A Parterre facing south surrounding a wisteria circle which again surrounds a fountain was also created. From there rise the famous Hundred Steps, a monumental staircase built of local stone, set amidst azaleas and rhododendron. Bantry House & Garden hosts a number of events including classical and traditional music festivals, product launches, food festivals and outdoor theatre and is a popular location for television and films. The House is also registered as an authorised civil ceremony venue, and hosts weddings in the summer and winter. Enjoy a light lunch in the Tearoom which serves fresh local produce. Bantry House was once featured on Country House Rescue, the Channel 4 production, where it received very favourable reviews and has prompted many to revisit the house and garden as well as first time visitors.