Top 12 Things To Do In Bantry, Ireland

1. Peek into the past at Bantry House and Garden

This beautiful stately home is located on Wild Atlantic Way and overlooks Bantry Bay. The house features a private collection of objects of art and furniture and has been the home of the White family in Bantry since 1739. The stately home was opened to the public in 1946, while the family continues to live in and manage the property. Enjoy exploring the house and its manicured garden and relax with tea in the on-site tearoom. It is also possible to spend the night in Bantry House in the bed and breakfast, set in the East Wing of the house.

Bantry House and Garden

Address: Seafield, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Website: Bantry House and Garden

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Price: From 7 USD

2. Enjoy a delicious meal at Fish Kitchen

Fish Kitchen prides itself on serving dishes made with the freshest local produce and locally sourced fish. There are daily specials to choose from, as well as an extensive menu of fish and seafood dishes. The lunch menu features soups and chowders, open fish sandwiches and a range of battered fish and fish pasta dishes. The evening meal includes starters, such as Carlingford Oysters, fresh from the restaurant’s tank or organic smoked Irish salmon. Mains include delicious fish fillets cooked in various ways as well as a Fish Kitchen seafood platter. A good choice of wines is also available in the restaurant.

Fish Kitchen

Address: New St, Town Lots, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Website: Fish Kitchen

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 5:30pm - 9pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

3. Hike the Sheep's Head peninsula

Head out from Bantry on an enjoyable hike of the Sheep’s Head peninsula. This enjoyable 200 km (124.3 mi) walking route heads out onto the peninsula between Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay. As the peninsula is narrow, you will never be far from the Atlantic Ocean as you go. Enjoy some amazing views along the way, including from the Seefin ridge. The path is varied – in some places open and grassy and in other quiet roads or field paths. Among the interesting things to see along the way are a blowhole, an old copper mine, standing stones, stone circles, old churches and a Napoleonic signal tower. Occasionally whales and dolphins can be spotted off the westernmost tip, close to Sheep’s Head lighthouse. You will pass through the villages of Ahakista, Durras and Kilcrohane, where accommodation and refreshments can be enjoyed.

Sheep's Head peninsula

Address: Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Website: Sheep’s Head peninsula

4. Have a drink or two at Ma Murphys pub

This traditional Irish pub also includes a general store and a pretty beer garden (pictured here). Known to be one of the friendliest pubs in the area, the business stands in Bantry’s main street. Ma Murphys is family-owned and has been in the family since the 18th century, still retaining the same charm as in past years. Enjoy a range of craft beers, as well as a choice of whiskeys and other drinks while munching some tasty bar snacks. Patrons have been known to break into song while enjoying a few beers.

Ma Murphys

Address: 7 New St, Town Lots, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Website: Ma Murphys

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 1pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 1pm - 1am

5. Catch the latest releases at Cinemax Bantry

Cinemax Bantry LTD offers three screening theaters, showing the latest films on the circuit. The complex also features an Autumn and Winter Arthouse, where classic and indie films are screened, including films that have been shown at the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, the BFI London Film Festival and the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival. There is a concession stand selling cold drinks, sodas, popcorn, and other snacks too.

Cinemax Bantry LTD

Address: The Quay, Kinathfineen, Bantry, Co. Cork, P75 YE09, Ireland

Website: Cinemax Bantry LTD

Price: From 7 USD

6. Marvel at Kealkill Megalithic Stone Circle and Standing Stones

The stone circle in Kealkill is one of the most striking examples of megalithic architecture in Ireland. The circle consists of five axial stones, with two more standing stones close by. The tallest stone is 4 m (13 ft) in height. There is also a small cairn of stones close by, with a row of stones set in a radial pattern within. The position of the stone circle offers panoramic views across Bantry Bay and the surrounding landscape. To access the stone circle, walk up from Carriganass Castle in the village below, to enjoy beautiful scenery all the way up.

Kealkill Megalithic Stone Circle and Standing Stones

Address: Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Website: Kealkill Megalithic Stone Circle and Standing Stones

7. Admire the fascinating Mill Wheel

The Mill Wheel is an ancient wheel, located next to the library in Bantry and, remarkably, is still in use today. Stand and watch as the water turns the wheel, just like it did in days gone by. The Mill Wheel adds to the many and unique, historic and unusual aspects of this quaint and pretty town in Co. Cork, Ireland.

Mill Wheel

Address: Bridge St, Carrignagat, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

8. Book your seat at Bantry Astro

Bantry Astro is a sports complex in the town of Bantry and is home to the Bantry Blues Gaelic Football and Hurling Club, which was founded in 1887. Here, young men, boys and ladies form a variety of football teams, receive training and play in various fixtures. The astroturf has recently been updated throughout the sports complex.

Bantry Astro

Address: Wolfe Tone Park, Newtown, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Website: Bantry Astro

9. Drop by Garryvurcha Church & Graveyard

The Garryvurcha Church and Graveyard in Bantry has recently been restored and opened to the public. Visitors can now stroll around the old walled graveyard, reading the inscriptions on the headstones. The church is believed to have been built in the 1720s and is one of the oldest buildings in Bantry. The graveyard was used for burials up until the mid-1980s.

Garryvurcha Church & Graveyard

Address: 1 Church Rd, Town Lots, Bantry, Co. Cork, P75 TC58, Ireland

10. Learn about the Bantry Historical Society

The Bantry Historical Society is a group of local people who research local history, culture and folklore in Bantry and the surrounding areas. The Bantry Museum continues to grow with many historic exhibits, popular with visitors to the town. The society also arranges talks and outings for locals and visitors to enjoy and learn more about the past of the town.

Bantry Historical Society

Address: Wolfe Tone Square, Town Lots, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Website: Bantry Historical Society

11. Get out in the fresh air to enjoy Bantry Bay walks

Bantry has a number of enjoyable walks, with great mountain and forest views, taking in many of the historic sites of the area. One particularly pleasant walk is around Bantry Bay and heading to Lady’s Well and the Airstrip Loop. The 5-km (3 mi) walk offers beautiful views over Bantry Bay as you head to a religious site called Lady’s Well, which is a rock dating from penal times. A small country road then takes you down to the seashore to visit a rarely used airstrip. This area gives beautiful views across to Whiddy Island.

Bantry Bay Walks

Address: Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland

Website: Bantry Bay Walk

12. Look at the boats in Bantry Marina

The Bantry Harbor Marina is part of the Bantry Port and lies in Bantry Bay. Boat owners can rent moorings in the marina, while visitors can enjoy strolling around the marina, looking at the various yachts and pleasure crafts, as well as fishing boats. A number of boats are available for sailing and boating trips out into the bay.

Bantry Marina

Address: Bantry Pier, Co. Cork, Ireland

Website: Bantry Marina

Take in the history and beauty of Bantry and its surrounds

Enjoy all the history of this quaint, typically Irish town, while exploring the hillsides, hiking to pretty viewpoints and taking boating trips, returning to town to enjoy a delicious fish dinner and an evening in a true Irish pub. All this and more is available among the best things to do in Bantry, Ireland.