Bantry is a small town at the head of a very large inlet, Bantry Bay in West Cork, Southwest Ireland.

Understand

Bantry is remote and surrounded by hills except for the 30 mile sea inlet that is named after it. It has a population of about 3000 yet is the biggest town for miles around. The setting is magnificent and it can make a marvellous place to visit if the weather is kind. The landscape gets wilder to the north and west, leading out to the even more remote peninsula of Beara to the west and over a mountain pass into Kerry to the north. In contrast to the landscape Bantry and the surrounding area has a mild climate and is well-known for luxuriant 'sub-tropical' vegetation.

Get in

Get around

See

  • '''Bantry House'''. A stately home, formerly owned by the White family with impressive gardens and sometimes host to orchestral concerts. House and gardens are open to the public.Admission charge.
  • '''Glengarriff'''. This is a village around the bay where the scenery gets even more dramatic. A popular excursion here is to take a boat trip to Garinish island to see the Italianate gardens.
  • Do

    Take part in the annual Bay Run half marathon in May, which is from Glengarriff to Bantry and hugs the coastline along the route. The route is an excellent chance to take in the spectacular scenery available in the area. The website is www.bayrun.ie

    Buy

    Eat

  • '''Organico Cafe''', 3 Glengarriff Rd, [http://www.organico.ie]. Wonderful organic food in a light and spacious venue - recommended.
  • Drink

    Sleep

  • '''Caher Lodge''', [http://www.CaherLodge.com]. Luxury Self Catering Accommodation located on the spectacular Bantry Bay Golf course
  • Get out