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Bantry House Review

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Bantry House

Address: Parking lot on right-hand side of N71 as you enter town from easterly Cork City direction, Bantry, Co. Cork
Phone: 027/50047
www.bantryhouse.ie

Category: Houses/Mansions
Location: Bantry

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5

Fodor's Review:

As you enter Bantry—an unprepossessing town at the head of Bantry Bay (topped out with a large square that attracts artisans, craftspeople, and musicians to its Friday morning market in summer)—on the right-hand side of the road, beyond a gigantic new hotel, you'll see the porticoed entrance to Bantry House. One of Ireland's most famed manors, it's noted for its picture-perfect perch: on a hillock above the south shore of Bantry Bay, it's surrounded by a series of stepped gardens and parterres that make up "the stairway to the sky." Spreading out below the Georgian mansion lies the bay and, in the far distance, the spectacular range of the Caha Mountains—one of the great vistas of Ireland. Built in the early 1700s and altered and expanded later that century, the manor was the ancestral seat of the White family. The house—now looking more than a bit worse for wear, according to readers—is largely the vision of Richard White, the first earl of Bantry, who traveled extensively through Europe and brought a lot of it back with him: fabulous Aubusson tapestries said to have been commissioned by Louis XV adorn the Rose Drawing Room, while state portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte glitter in floridly Rococo gilt frames in the hypertheatrical, Wedgwood-blue-and-gold dining room.

Outside, the drama continues in the stepped garden terraces, set with marble statues, framed by stone balustrades, and showcasing such delights as an embroidered parterre of dwarf box. The tearoom serves light lunches, and features local artisan foods. In summer the house hosts concerts in the grand library room, notably the West Cork Chamber Music Festival (held during the first week of July).

Cost: House and gardens EUR 10; gardens EUR 5
Open: Mar.-Oct., daily 10-6

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by fifi66 from swaziland, southern africa on 10/12/07
Bantry House and Garden is well worth the journey to get there. It has so much going for it, first of all , it is a Home, to the 10th generation of the Whites, descendents of the Earls of Bantry. Secondly, it has a unique collection of art and tapestries. Thirdly, it has a view to die for. Fourthly, it has very tastefully decorated Bed and Breakfast guest rooms, with cosy bathrooms and designer mattresses, and all rooms have choice views of the gardens. Lastly, the breakfasts are historic... all the food comes from local artisans and is beautifully presented...

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Experience: 5.0 Ease: 5.0 Value: 5.0 Don't Miss: 5.0

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