Bantry - My Favourites
My childhood days (or let’s say, my memories of them) were filled with spending hours and hours with the horses, sheep and dogs on the farm. These summer days now remind me of the warm days in July and early August, when everyone came together to make hay. My Mam turned into a pro when it came to keeping dinner warm for my Dad and myself because there was always something left to do which couldn’t wait until the next day (when it came to us). I LOVED it back then.
And still, as soon as I wake up these days and it’s raining, I feel the excitement kicking in and my head explodes with plans and ideas. Why that? Rainy days meant we were heaving a day off now and then and that day was usually spent driving to Bantry, Kenmare, Killarney or even Cork to do some shopping, having lunch or dinner somewhere and - most of all - exploring!
That’s the reason why, somehow, Bantry will always be connected to rainy days for me. And all I can say is it’s beautiful even on rainy days (really!). Plus, there are so many lovely shops and great places to eat, you wouldn’t even notice it’s raining.
Framed by the beautiful Caha Mountains and the hills of Sheep’s Head, Bantry is one of Ireland’s most charming and attractive seascapes. It’s sheltered by islands at the head of Bantry Bay and is a lovely, picturesque and sparkling town.
What to see and do
Bantry has it all and is a real gem in West Cork. Whether you’re into history, sightseeing, hiking, sailing, kayaking, pony-trekking, road trips or just enjoying your time with great food and lovely people, you found the right place to be. Here are my favourites:
Bantry House and Gardens
Bantry House, built in the 18th century, has these melancholic vibes - it’s like a glimpse into a long gone world of aristocracy. I remember being fascinated by the magnificent artwork on show as a child and my feeling hasn’t changed since then. The views from the gardens on Bantry Bay are amazing and it’s lovely to just wander through the gardens and enjoy this beautiful place. The house has belonged to the White family (formerly Earls of Bantry) since the mid-18th century and they still live in it and manage the estate. If I remember it correctly, the owners even offer B&B accommodation in one of the wings.
Richard White, famous for warning the authorities of the possible landing of Irish patriot Wolfe Tone with a French fleet, who were supporting the United Irishmen’s rebellion. The fleet never landed because of heavy gales and Wolfe Tone got a square and a statue named after him.
Wolfe Tone Square is best enjoyed on a Friday when the town is buzzing with life during the weekly (farmers`) Market, especially on the first Friday of a month. If you’re into taking photos of the statue and the square itself, it’s better to not visit on a Friday.
Take the ferry (from the pier) to Whiddy Island and explore the island. Whiddy Island became a US Naval Air Station during the final months of WWI and is also known for the Whiddy Island disaster, which occurred in 1979 when the oil tanker Betelgeuse exploded at the oil terminal at Whiddy Island. Nowadays the island is great for exploring and you’ll find a great loop walk there.
If you’re more into water sports and the sea, I can highly recommend taking a guided kayak adventure along the Blueway in Bantry Bay. There’s even the chance to go night kayaking in the area. One thing I’ve never done and definitely have to do soon!
Bantry Bay Pony Trekking - horses, West Cork and spectacular views of Bantry Bay. It’s great, obviously.
When it comes to exploring the area around Bantry:
Mizen Head Peninsula
I still have to write a blog post about Mizen Head, but until then I’m going to share a short itinerary for you here: visit Mizen Head and the signal station, Three Castle Head, Barley Cove (beach), the Baltimore Beacon and Castletownshend.
Beara Peninsula
I’m obviously biased here, but don’t miss the Beara Peninsula when you’re in Bantry. It’s beautiful, it’s lonely, it’s the perfect place. Read more about the Beara Peninsula in my blog post >> here <<.
Sheep’s Head Peninsula
Same here, another blog post I can’t wait to finish soon. Don’t miss the beautiful ring drive starting outside Bantry along the Goat’s Path. The loop walks on Sheep’s Head are great but most of them aren’t dog friendly, so I haven’t done them myself yet.
To read more, check out my blog post about >> West Cork <<.
SHOPS
Bantry Market: trust me, you don’t want to miss the excellent food stalls and beautiful crafts
Bantry Book Shop: books, books, books. I highly recommend getting “A Doctor’s Sword” there.
Forest & Flock : the BEST shop in West Cork, trust me. You’ll find Irish art, craft & design here. If I could, I’d move in and spend all day looking through all the gorgeous things there.
The Craft Shop: a lovely little shop
FOOD
First of all, my fellow vegans (and everyone else, too) are going to love these two:
Organico: due to Covid-19, the café sadly won’t reopen but the whole food shop is open and it is great! Whatever you need, you will find it here.
The Stuffed Olive: I can’t recommend them enough. Go follow their instagram if you don’t trust me and you’re going to fall in love with their salads, cakes, sourdough and, of course, Marmelade the dog. Highly recommended for brunch or lunch!
You’re travelling through Ireland and are vegan? I shared my experiences and recommendations in this blog post >> here << .
For everyone else, the following are recommended a lot as well:
The Fish Kitchen: this little restaurant above fishmonger’s shop is said to be the go-to place when it comes to seafood.
Wharton’s Fish & Chips: award winning family take away, the fish is super fresh and is said to be delicious
Manning’s Emporium: my parents were regular guests there (already before I was born), so I guess it is really that good. The gourmet deli and cafe is home to some of West Cork’s finest foods and local artisan produce.
I can’t recommend Bantry enough. For me, Bantry has it all and it’s the start for a great time in West Cork.
Let me know what you liked best!
Etta x
