Bantry and Relations: Auntie Beers' Ireland

 

We head back From Skibbereen on a different route this time. Not as much traffic. The day is glorious, blue and sunny. The hills are a beautiful green patchwork. Here and there we glimpse the simmering waters of the ocean.

We return to Bantry and do a tour of the gardens at Bantry House, located on the bay just outside the town. Originally called Blackrock, Bantry House and Garden is a stately home overlooking Bantry Bay in the south west of Ireland. Constructed in 1710, the House was purchased by the White family around 1739. The Whites were merchants from Limerick who moved to Whiddy Island before relocating to Bantry. At first there were about 80,000 acres around the manor terraces. Richard White and his wife Mary developed fabulous gardens, including steps and a fountain at the back of the house, a fountain and tons of azaleas and rhodendendron.  The house was opened to the public in 1946.

The house and gardens in 1895. The conservatory no longer exists.

Palm trees at Bantry House.

 

The canon at Bantry House overlooking the bay.

Not our picture, but sure does show off the gardens.

 

We decide to head into the town to look around more but there is absolutely no parking. We drive through Ballylickey along the road to Glengarriff. The vistas are indescribable. Hopefully our pictures will do it justice. (Too bad I can't find them!!)

We return to the hotel for relaxation in the stunningly beautiful gardens.

Eventually I get in touch with Agnes’s daughter Donna. Then Agnes herself. She sounds nervous about meeting us. She offers to come to the Sea View after work, as she’s working at Quill’s Woollens in Glengarriff tomorrow. She tells me that Kathleen’s brother Tommy lives in Cork. Too bad we hadn’t known. It sounds as though Agnes has very little knowledge of the family. Tommy might’ve known more.

We have another stupendous meal, drink tea inn our rooms, and settle in for the night.