The Spanish Armada Centre, County Cork

Bantry House, one of the finest 18th century stately homes in Ireland, has a fascinating interior, beginning with the inner hall. The Rose and Drawing Rooms have many fine furnishings, including 18th century Savonnerie carpets and Aubusson tapestries in the latter. The dining-room is lined with portraits, while the long library, complete with grand piano, looks out on the terraced Italian-style gardens. From the bedrooms at the front of the house, the views extend across Bantry Bay. The house is complemented by the new French Armada centre, commemorating the abortive French landings in Bantry Bay in 1796. Models of the ships that took part, old medals, lithographs and paintings, besides reconstructions of incidents, help tell the story in an attractive modern format. The centrepiece of the exhibition is the 1:6 scale model of the frigate Surveillante, scuppered off Whiddy Island, while another depicts Wolfe Tone in his cabin.

3 km (2 miles) SW of Bantry town on N71 to Ballydehob.
Admission charge.
House open daily. Centre open daily, all year.
Tel. (027) 51796.

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