Bantry sits at the head of Bantry Bay and is a busy market town and fishing port with a rich Irish history. A welcoming and friendly town which has recently been transformed into a tourist destination with shops, cafes, bars, award winning restaurants and a picturesque seafront, Bantry has so much to offer. 

Steeped in Irish history, Bantry is referenced in many Irish songs, with Donemark, the place cited as where the first colonists landed and settled only a mile from the town. There is a variety of historical sites in and around Bantry to see, such as stone circles, megalithic tombs and ring forts, including the famous Kilnaruane Pillar Stone.

Settlers were drawn to Bantry because of the abundance of fish in the bay and it grew quickly as a fishing port, boasting one of the finest and safest shipping harbours in Europe, being both deep and sheltered.

A town rich in culture, Bantry hosts a variety of annual music festivals, both contemporary and traditional: West Cork Chamber Music Festival, West Cork Literary Festival and the Masters of Tradition Festival. The town is also packed with pubs and bars where you can enjoy the many local artists while enjoying a drink or some fine food.

The traditional town square has been changed into a promenade, with trees, seating, flowers, an anchor and centrepiece fountain. On Fridays, it is the site for Bantry’s weekly market on a Friday, the biggest for miles around, packed with local produce and unique gifs which attracts people from miles around. 

For the more adventurous, Bantry activities include water sports, boating, sailing, angling, hiking and golf.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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