Bantry Heritage Trail, erected by Bantry Tourism Association, tells the story of the town of Bantry, of its development and of its buildings in a series of Information Boards. The boards, which are located at various points in the town, contain many photographs and explanatory text which help to bring the history of Bantry alive.   The beginning of the Heritage Trail can be found on the raised area of Wolfe Tone Square near St Brendan’s Statue. Here you have a vantage point to see the buildings around 3 sides of the square. The square area was reclaimed from the sea many years ago though the car park by the harbour wall was reclaimed as recently as the late 1990s. There is a town map on each board showing the locations of the displays. Also indicated are the Tourist Information boards.

The second display is towards the other end of the square. When at this display area if you look to the left you will see the Church of St. Brendan the Navigator; from the church to the corner is the site of the old ‘fish palaces’, now long gone, but which once occupied most of the area. You can also read a biography of Theobald Wolfe Tone who gives his name to the square.   The 3rd display is at the Old Courthouse, now the Tourist Information Office. On the wall of the Old Courthouse are commemorative plaques dedicated to Bantry patriots. From here the trail takes you around the town to various points of interest. Each information board directs you to the next.

The Trail can be followed in 2 or more stages. The first stage takes you on a leisurely stroll around the town, through some of the laneways and smaller streets, and ends at Wolfe Tone Square. You can now finish the first part here and continue another day or, you can continue on the footpath along by the old cobblestone quays to the pier to display area 14. You then pass the entrance to Bantry House, which can be visited another day, and arrive at the garden area near the Abbey Cemetery where you will find the final information board, a distance of 1.3km. Seats are provided here where you can admire the view of both the sea and the mountains and watch the world go by or even take a boat trip around the bay from the nearby slipway. When you are ready to return, simply retrace your steps. Alternatively continue up the road, beyond the Abbey and the Westlodge Hotel take the first left signposted the Rope Walk. As you walk you will see a sign pointing to a field for the Kilnaruare Pillar stone. You may wish to divert to see this important ancient 7th century monument or just continue on the road which leads you back to the town.

The Long Boat, captured in 1796. It is now on display in Collins Barracks, Dublin.
In the photo the army are hauling it to the train station from where it was taken to Dublin

Leaflets of the Trail are available in Bantry Tourist Information Office and Bantry Museum during the summer and in hotels, Bantry Library and the Book Shop throughout the year. To contact Bantry Tourism Association follow the link to the website, click HERE. 
 

For more photos, please click HERE