West Cork's Bantry House achieves Top 20 listing in DK Travel Guides
'architecture you must see' list
Bantry House in West Cork has been acclaimed by Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides as one of the Top 20 buildings to see in the British Isles. Bantry House was in eclectic company with other buildings as diverse as The Gherkin in London to Edinburgh Castle. Bantry House was the only Irish building to receive this accolade. The house is unique, in that it is unmistakably stately but totally unpretentious.
Owner Egerton Shelswell-White welcomed the high praise. "Our inclusion in this list confirms the message our visitors tell us; Bantry House in its beautiful setting looking out over Bantry Bay and the Caher mountains, is truly special."
Egerton's wife,Brigitte, completely adores the House and its history, but openly admits her main passion lies in the garden and woodlands surrounding it. "Although the DK listing is for the house architecture, I am in no doubt that the hard work and dedication of all our garden team has justifiably complimented the house's standing, with its variety of flora and fauna. We are extremely lucky to be in such a climate that we can cultivate a variety of unusual plants, which bring interest and joy to our visitors"
Bantry house remains privately owned, and as such, is not publicly funded. With the task of maintaining day visitor numbers, a cause for concern, (a sentiment felt nationwide with privately owned houses), the owners have diversified successfully into guest accommodation, with hotel grade en-suite rooms available. Bantry House continues to host various musical concerts traditional, classical and contemporary, and also is a unique venue for family celebrations, book launches, corporate luncheons and dinners.
It is with optimism and realism that the Shelswell-Whites and their children look forward to the future, and the future of their family home.
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