Bantry House, Ireland- Has anyone stayed here?
 

I am wondering if anyone has stayed at Bantry house or at least seen the rooms. The property looks amazing, but I am a little wary of staying there as there are no pictures of the rooms on their website. I get the impression it's not very focused on accomidating overnight guests, but is it worth it to stay in such an amazing house? And I am also wondering if we do stay there, where can you have dinner? Do they serve it there or is there a town nearby?

Thanks so much!

topping, because I'm interested in the answer too.

anybody?

Haven't stayed at Bantry House, but there are lots of food and drink options available in the town of Bantry. We've had a couple of good meals at the Bantry Hotel, in the square.

Bob

I stayed at Bantry House in March 2002. We had a large room in the east wing -- lots of space, huge windows both front and back, but fairly average in decor. The house itself is another story -- it's a gorgeous place and full of history, some parts open to the public at specified times. Mr. White, who would have been the fifth Earl of Bantry had the title not died out with his mother, let us have access to the ballroom/library (with 2 fireplaces with peat fires) to relax in the evenings. There's also a game room with bar and pool table that is open to the guests. Breakfast is fabulous and quite genteel -- they even cut the crusts off the toast.
The town is within easy walking distance. We ate at a couple of restaurants there -- O'Connor's for seafood and Blues, both good. The town is small and quaint, right on the Bay of Bantry. Very pretty, very Irish. If you're going to be in that area anyway, I'd say it's worth a stay.

Thank you so much for the replys, and Cherie: thank you for the information! Now I'm trying to decide if I should take one of our two nights at Sheen Falls and stay at Bantry House. I know this may sound like a strange question, but do you happen to remember how the bed was? I really hate it when the beds are old and hard. It seems like there might be a good chance of that...

Thanks again!

I second the suggestion on O'Connor's seafood in the town of Bantry. I had dinner there in early November, and it was excellent. The town of Bantry is really great! Have a great trip!

Sabatino,
I don't remember the bed exactly but that may be a good thing. I think I would remember if it was bad!

I shouldn't respond as we didn't stay there and didn't have time to tour the house. However, I did read somewhere, your exact concerns: that it was more a beautiful museum type experience and their primary function was not being a hotel. We stayed down the road a mile or two at Ballylickey House a Relais and Chateaux with absolutely marvelous grounds overlooking the Bay. I don't remember the food being anything special.