Bantry is a busy market town and colourful little fishing port located in West Cork in southern Ireland.  There is much to see and do in Bantry and for further information on this vibrant little West Cork town please read on…

Bantry is located on the coast of County Cork at the shore of Bantry Bay and is positioned on the N71 route.  The present population of Bantry Town is approximately 3,000 people. 

There are many ways you can get to Bantry, why not feel the freedom and independence of the open road when you rent a car?  Check out our Cork car hire pages and book a car securely online today.

The town of Bantry is easily accessible by car – Drive down the N71 following the signs for West Cork.  When you get to Bandon you will reach a T-junction in the town where you can either go left and take the long scenic route along the N7, or you can turn right and follow the signs for Dunmanway.  Bantry is very well signposted from here and this route takes about 90 minutes. 

The Bantry region is divided into 3 main areas corresponding with the peninsulas, and they are: The Beara Peninsula, The Sheep’s Head Peninsula and The Mizen Peninsula. These extend southwest in the Atlantic for up to 30 miles.

The spectacular Beara Peninsula is located northwest of the town of Bantry and is described by many as the wildest most romantic peninsula in the southwest of Ireland.  The Beara Peninsula incorporates alot of the southwest corner of Ireland, about 120 miles in total, and offers a fantastic walking trail called ‘The Beara Way’.  The Beara Way begins at Glengarriff, which overlooks Bantry Bay, and ends at Kenmare on the beautiful Ring of Kerry. The Beara Way takes in peaceful country walks and rusty hilly terrain.  Many walking tour operators avail of this walking route in a weeklong package.

Sheep’s Head is located on the Peninsula south of Bantry Bay and offers magnificent and rugged scenery.  Sheep’s Head is the headland at the end of the peninsula between Dunmanus Bay and Bantry Bay. Sheep’s Head Way is an 88km walking trail that follows old tracks and roads. This trail is very accessible and well signposted. This route is divided into 8 stages with each stage taking a half-day to complete.

The Mizen Peninsula is located at Ireland’s most southerly point, and offers breathtaking scenery in all directions with the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean beneath.  At The Mizen Peninsula there is a Visitor Centre and a signal station, for further details on this top visitor attraction check out our article on The Mizen Head Visitor Centre.

Like alot of towns along the southwest coast of Ireland, Bantry also claims an ancient connection with the 6th Century Saint Brendan, also known as ‘The Navigator’.  Saint Brendan was the first person to discover America.  In honour of Saint Brendan, the town of Bantry has a beautiful sculpture of Saint Brendan that stands tall in the town square.  Bantry is an old town with many historical connections and this is just one of many sculpture in Bantry town of famous people who contributed to the town over the years. 

Bantry town is an important economic centre to the region and apart from tourism, fishing is another of its main industries. Mussels in particular are harvested in the Bantry area.

For further details on Bantry check out the official Bantry Bay website.

Need accommodation?  Check out our Bantry hotels page and book a Bantry hotel securely online today. 

Have you visited the town of Bantry in West Cork?  Perhaps you would like to share your experience with our readers or have you additional information you would like to add? Please leave your comments in the comment box below.  Thank you.