Richard White played a key roll in defending
Ireland against an attempted invasion by Wolfe
Tone and the United Irish men in the 18th century.
At the end of this battle, White was rewarded
by George III for his "spirited conduct and
important services" by giving him a peerage.
In 1801 Richard White became Viscount Bantry
and in 1816 he was made 1st Earl of Bantry.
It was around this time that the White's settled
permanently in Bantry. By 19th century, Bantry
would become a major port for the southwest
of Ireland. The town still retains much of its
old world charm.
Overlooking Bantry Bay is Bantry
House, restored through the efforts of the White
family. The house was originally built in 1720
and has undergone many changes and periods of
growth. Today visitors can visit the houses
many rooms, which offer a wide selection of
interesting features, such as:
Library Steps,
facing Italian Garden
The Gobelins Room which
is dominated by an 18th century tapestry
of The Bath of Cupid and Psyche by Gobelins.
A 19th century piano dominates the center
of the room and outstanding views of Bantry
Bay can be seen from the windows.
The Dining Room is overlooked
by lifesize portraits of King George III
and Queen Charlotte, which were painted
by court painter, Allan Ramsay. The chandelier
is Spanish and is decorated with Meissen
china flowers.
The Rose Room was built
around 1770. Rose colored tapestries hang
along the walls of this room and are thought
to have been made for Marie Antoinette on
her marriage to the Dauphin of France. The
light that streams in through the windows
of this room cast a rose glow throughout.
The Library (photo left)
is at the back of the house overlooking
the Italian Garden. Today private and social
groups use this room for intimate meetings
and concerts. The richly carved entrance
is preceded by a stairway from the garden
with an elegant wrought iron banister.
On the grounds of Bantry House you will find
the following interests:
The Rose Garden was laid
out in the 18th century in olde English
style.
The Statue of Diana was
sculpted in 1840 and placed in the circular
drive at the front of the house overlooking
Bantry Bay.
The 1796 French Armada Centre
(photo right) is housed in the old Carriage
House behind the main house. This centre
tells the history of the Battle of Bantry
in December 1796, which was led by Wolfe
Tone.
The Italian Garden dominates
the back of the house. There are several
small laid out sections of colorful flowers
and herbs. In the centre of the garden is
an ornate pool and fountain decorated in
Classical Grotesque style though to have
been inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence.
This garden was designed in the early 1850's
by the 2nd Earl of Bantry. In peak blooming
months the huge numbers of supported wisteria
that circle the fountain lend a highly dramatic
effect to the whole laid out of the garden.
