Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Bantry

"No visit to Bantry could be considered complete without a visit to the stately Bantry House & Gardens. Bought by the White Family in 1765 and enlarged by Richard White, the 2nd Earl of Bantry,it is now lived in and owned by the Shelswell-White family, descendants of the Earls of Bantry. The house has an eclectic collection of tapestries, furniture and art treasures."

"Bantry House & Gardens, a great opportunity to visit one of Ireland's renowned stately houses with views out over Bantry Bay. Take a tour of this historic house and gardens. Take in the history that will surround you here in West Cork."

"With its melancholic air of faded gentility, 18th-century Bantry House makes for an intriguing visit. From the Gobelin tapestries in the drawing room to the columned splendour of the library, it conjures up a..."

"This horticultural miracle of an island was created in the early 20th century when the island's owner commissioned architect Harold Peto to design a garden on the then-barren outcrop. Topsoil was shipped in, landscaped gardens laid out, and subtropical species planted; camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons now provide a seasonal blaze of colour. The 10-minute boat trip to the island departs from the village pier and passes colonies of basking seals and a nesting site for white-tailed eagles, which were reintroduced to Ireland in 2007."

"This horticultural miracle of an island was created in the early 20th century when the island's owner commissioned architect Harold Peto to design a garden on the then-barren outcrop. Topsoil was shipped in,... Top ChoiceFort in Kinsale"

"Many visitors head to Glengarriff because of that Irish Eden, Ilnacullin. On Garnish Island, offshore from Glengarriff and beyond islets…"

"This one is slightly different to the other options on the list but come on who doesn't want to go walking with alpacas?. This special farm allows you take an alpaca for a 40 minute walk while walking along a trail that runs past gorgeous fields, forestry and past the stunning waterfall. As well as the alpacas you can visit the rescued rabbits, donkeys, Shetland ponies, hens, cats and fogs."

"West Cork's adorable alpaca walk is a must for this summer's bucket list. Waterfall Alpaca Farm in Castledonovan, near Drimoleague, is a magical place where you can visit the cutest of furry mammals and even take them out for a hike. The nature-loving owners even rent out cabins for those who want the full wild experience."

"This impressive Victorian mansion is crammed with fascinating objects (70% of the contents are original). Portraits by John Singer Sargent adorn the walls alongside trophy stags heads and giant stuffed trout, while antique Killarney furniture, with its distinctive inlaid scenes of local beauty spots, graces the grand apartments along with tapestries, Persian rugs, silverware and china specially commissioned for Queen Victoria's visit in 1861. It's 5km south of Killarney, signposted from the N71."

"So we opted to explore Killarney National Park a bit, which included a tour of Ross Castle and a visit to Muckross House and its gardens. Ross CastleMuckross House"

"Located on the outskirts of Kealkill village, the castle played a dramatic role in one of Irish History’s most exciting stories. In 1602, the castle’s owner, Donal Cam O’Sullivan Bere, led his followers past its gates on a march to Leitrim that would see him join the Flight of Earls from Ireland; that flight itself marked the end of Gaelic civilisation in Ireland. During the summer, the castle is open every day from 9am until 5pm."

"5km West of Ballingeary on R584 to Bantry, at the Pass of Keimaneigh, Gougane Barra, Ballingeary Ireland+353 21 488 2218http://www.coillteoutdoors.ie/index.php?"

"Enclosed within Killarney's 10,236-hectare (26,000-acre) national park are beautiful Lough Leane (the Lower Lake or 'Lake of Learning'), Muckross Lake and the Upper Lake, as well as the Mangerton, Torc, Shehy and Purple Mountains. Areas of oak and yew woodland stretch for miles. This is wonderful walking and biking country."

"So we opted to explore Killarney National Park a bit, which included a tour of Ross Castle and a visit to Muckross House and its gardens. Ross CastleMuckross House"

"Fernhill House and Gardens - The gardens at Fernhill are the perfect place to relax and unwind. There are many quiet corners for you to enjoy a book, chat or reflect on the beauty of the gardens. There are many stunning features including a heart shaped flower bed, rose walk, geyser and many more."

"Fernhill House is a beautiful family run country house set on acres of gorgeous gardens in wonderful West Cork. Address: Clonakilty, West Cork"

"Michael Collins House Michael Collins House, Clonakilty is a new museum dedicated to Michael Collins. Offering an insight into the life of ‘The Big Fella’ and bringing the history of Irish…"

"Our family run seasonal lakeside hotel is nestled in one of the most scenic and romantic glens in the South West of Ireland, in West Cork, at the source of the river Lee, and just one kilometre from Gougane Barra National Forest Park. Overlooking magical Gougane Barra Lake and St. Finbarr's sixth century hermitage, Gougane Barra Hotel is a favourite place for visitors of all kinds. Our 3 star, country house hotel is renowned for its genuine old-fashioned hospitality, award winning real food, relaxed atmosphere, comfortable accommodation and personal attention, which people keep returning for."

"In one of the most peaceful and beautiful locations in Ireland, this delightfully old-fashioned family-run hotel is set in a Forest Park overlooking Gougane Barra Lake (famous for its monastic settlements). The Lucey family has run the hotel since 193 ..."

"This stone circle is also known as ‘The Druid’s Altar’ and is a recumbent stone circle consisting of 17 (of which only 13 remain) closely spaced stones, situated near the village of Glandore. The circle is located on the edge of a rocky outcrop and has good views over the sea."

"On an exposed hillside, with fields falling away towards the coast and cattle lowing in the distance, the Drombeg stone circle is superbly atmospheric. Its 17 stones, oriented towards the winter solstice sunset,..."

"More than 20 years in the making, this interactive sculpture garden is imaginative, thought-provoking and humorous, with nature and art working together to provide an unforgettable walk in the woods."

"Michael Collins House Michael Collins House, Clonakilty is a new museum dedicated to Michael Collins. Offering an insight into the life of ‘The Big Fella’ and bringing the history of Irish…"