Bantry House

Bantry House is the ancestral home of the Earls of Bantry, still lived in by their descendant Egerton & Brigitte Shelswell-White, and their family. Since 1946 the house containing its important collection of furniture, tapestries and objets d'art has been open to the public.  

T: + 353 (0)27 50047 www.bantryhouse.com

Bantry Bay Scenic Cruises

& Whiddy Island Bank House Bar & Restaurant

Scenic Tour of Whiddy Island & surrounding areas.

Fully licensed, certified and insured and can carry 14 passengers in heated and comfortable surroundings. It offers visitors the opportunity to sample the many attractions of Bantry Bay including: The Islands of Whiddy, Garnish and Bere, The Beara Penninsula and Sheep's Head Penninsula. The varied marine life including dolphins and seals.

Prior Booking and price available on request.

Contact +353 (0)86 8981927 | +353 (0)86 8956298

Hill Walking
There are 2 Walks recognised by the National Waymarked Ways Committee in the Bantry area, namely Sheep's Head Way and Beara Way.The Sheep's Head Way is an 88km route which circles the whole of the Sheep's Head from Bantry to Sheep's Head at the end of the peninsula and back through Kilcrohane, Ahakista and Durrus. The guide book and map of the Sheep's Head Way is available at the Tourist Office and local shops.

The Beara Way is about 165km stretching from Kenmare to Glengarriff, west to Dursey and back to Kenmare on the north side of the peninsula. There are numerous loops for those who just want a short circular walk in scenic surroundings.

www.sheepshead.ie

Golf
Bantry Bay Golf Club, 2km from Bantry on the N71 to Glengarriff is a demanding 18 hole course, designed by Christy O'Connor, Jnr. (Length 5910m. Par 71). Near-by is a Pitch & Putt Course. There are 3 more 18-hole courses within a 20 mile radius and 9-hole golf courses at Glengarriff & Castletownbere. www.bantrygolf.com

Angling
Shore fishing has become very popular in the area due to the large variety of fish being caught - conger eels, brown dogfish, spotted dogfish, cod, pollock, ray, skate, ling, and other varieties.For those interested in sea angling boats are available for daily hire.
For the lake and river fishing enthusiasts there are two of the best fishing lakes in Ireland for brown and rainbow trout as well as coarse fish and there are six rivers which are noted for salmon and sea trout fishing. Licences for fishing can be obtained in the local fish-tackle shops.
For more information see www.swrfb.com

Boating and Sailing
For those interested in sailing, boating, canoeing, and kayaking there is a safe anchorage and harbour facilities i.e. slipways for launching boats and yachts.
Cranage is available but only by prior arrangement and adequate notice. Boat hire, kayak, canoes and skiboats are available at the Abbey slipway during summer months.
For more information see www.seakayakingwestcork.com

Archaelogical Sites
The Bantry Bay area is rich in sites of historical and archeological interest, from wedge tombs, which are thousands of years old, to those of more recet origin. The area is dotted with stone circles, alignments and galluns. The Kilnaruane Pillar Stone, The Kealkil Stone Circle, the Breenymore Megalithes and the Ahakista Stone Circle being the more accessible near Bantry. Detailed leaflets and maps are available at Bantry Tourist Information Office or Bookstores.

Cinemax Bantry – 3-Screen Cinema

The Quay, Bantry
Phone: 027-55777 www.cinemaxbantry.com