Information Bantry Ireland
To the northwest Bantry is flanked by the Beara peninsula is to the northwest, and to the south by Sheep’s Head. Sheep’s Head, with and the nearby village of Durrus, are a short drive from Bantry. There are few attractions for tourists other than the scattering of habitations and the views. There is a lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula, and upon approaching it, the landscape becomes wilder. One of the roads connecting Bantry is called the Goat’s Path, and the journey is an enjoyable one. Beara Peninsula is a thirty kilometre strip of land shared between Cork and Kerry, with a mountain range running along its spine. A substantial French invasion force arrived in Bantry in 1796 accompanied by the Dublin born republican Theobald Wolfe Tone. However, for a variety of reasons, they returned to France. Wolfe Tone Square in Bantry commemorates Wolfe Tone. Incidentally, a second French force arrived in Ireland in 1798, months after the first attempted rebellion of 1798. Thousands of Irishmen joined the invasion, but upon the defeat of the French, they were repatriated to France in exchange for British prisoners of war. Many of the Irish who had joined the insurrection, however, were regarded as traitors and executed. For his efforts in repelling the initial invasion in 1796, a Bantry based landowner, Richard White, was rewarded with a baronetcy in 1797. By 1816 he had become the first Earl of Bantry. Bantry House, the White family residence, is located to the south of the town. Wolfe Tone Square, meanwhile, also features a list, on the wall of the old courthouse, of the men who died during the war of independence and the civil war that wracked the fledgling state in the 1920s. Whiddy Island nearby was once home to an oil terminal of significant importance to Ireland, and a provider of jobs in the area. However, the disastrous explosion of an oil tanker in 1979 led to the loss of forty two lives and serious damage of the terminal, leaving many out of work. The economic situation improved with the development of a mussel growing industry in Bantry Bay.
Attractions Bantry Ireland
Argideen Heritage - Clonakilty
Located on a 135 acre Dairy Farm, which is located just off of the R600 between Clonakilty and Timoleague in South West Cork. The Arigideen River Valley is unique as well as being beautiful in that it has a very high concentration of Historical sites and is a great source of folklore. The Valley has connections with Michael Collins, Henry Ford, John F Kennedy, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, Donal Cam O' Sullivan Bere and William Penn to mention just a few
Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills - Ballincollig
Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills Heritage Centre is a unique industrial complex which meanders along the bank of the River Lee. The Mills were established in 1794 by Charles Henry Leslie. Eleven years later when Napoleon's control of France posed a grave threat to the British, the British Board of Ordnance bought the Mills from Leslie. Along with this the Army Barracks was built in the town to protect the supply of gunpowder. By the mid 1800s the Mills were one of the largest industrial establishments in the Cork area.
Barryscourt Castle - Carrigtwohill
Barryscourt Castle was the seat of the Barry family from the 12th to the 17th centuries. The present castle is a fine example of a 15th century tower house with 16th century additions and alterations. The bawn wall with three corner towers is largely intact. The ground floor of the keep houses an exhibition on the history of the Barrys and Barryscourt Castle.
Blarney Castle - Home of the Blarney Stone - Blarney
Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's oldest and most historic castles. It was built around 1446. An ancient stronghold of the MacCarthys, Lords of Muskerry and one of the strongest fortresses in Munster, its walls are eighteen feet thick in places. Located on the parapet of the castle is the famous "Blarney Stone". According to local legend, after kissing this stone, you will have the gift of eternal eloquence, or "the gift of the gab". To kiss the stone, you must first lie on your back, then leaning your head backwards and downwards, you kiss the underside of the stone. The last admission to the castle and grounds is 30 minutes before closing.
Blarney Woolen Mills - Blarney
The presence of the Woolen Mills during the Famine shielded Blarney from the worst effects of the famine, due to its employment of local workers. The success story at the mills continued until a disastrous fire in 1869. By August 1871, the mill was once again operational with a labour force of 222. In 1976 Chris Kelleher, himself a mill worker, bought the old mill property. Within a short period of time Chris and his family transformed the mill into what is perhaps the largest quality craft shop in Ireland.
