Bantry House and Gardens is a private estate in Bantry, Ireland, that we visited during a port call by Holland America’s ms Prinsendam as part of the 14-day Celtic Explorer cruise.
The original Queen Anne house — built around 1700 and originally called ‘Blackrock’ — has been the ancestral home of the White family since 1765. Richard White, born in 1767, became the 1st Earl of Bantry in 1816. His sons were the 2nd and 3rd Earls of Bantry, and his grandson William White was the 4th Earl of Bantry.
While still owned by descendants of the White family (who live on the property,) tourists can visit the estate. The house has been open to tourism since 1946, and offers tours of the house and gardens, a tea shop and bed and breakfast accommodations.
The second Earl of Bantry and his wife Mary traveled extensively across Europe. Their travels inspired the Bantry House gardens, as well as a significant addition to the front of the house. The house contains a fascinating collection of art and furnishings the couple amassed during their travels.
The best views of the house, the gardens and Bantry Bay are had by climbing the 100 steps of the “staircase to the sky.”
Climbing these 100 steps is a chore, but the view from the top is worth the effort.
The East Stables were built in the 1850’s to house the horses, carriages and grooms. Notice the horse head. Each horse head in the East Stables is unique horse head.
The East Stables were an elaborate design, as can be seen in the photo above.
This view shows a part of the gardens called “Diana’s Bed,” complete with a statue looking out to sea from the Bantry House and Gardens.
The view above — of the ms Prinsendam in Bantry Bay, showcases the round beds that are part of the garden design in front of Bantry House. Look closely and you will see some of the four guns that overlook the bay.
Have you visited Bantry House and Gardens?
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