Preserving the history & heritage of Bantry
Bantry Historical & Archaeological Society (BHAS) is dedicated to researching, preserving and sharing the history, culture and folklore of the greater Bantry area in County Cork, Ireland.
We are a voluntary organization, founded in 1978.
We are passionate about our local history and heritage and we are eager to celebrate and share it with locals and visitors alike.
What We Do
Bantry Museum
The Society operates the Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts, tools, weapons and clothing gathered from the local community.
Publications
We publish journals and articles containing our research on local history, ensuring that historical knowledge is recorded and accessible.
Events
We organise talks, outings and events to connect locals and visitors with their heritage, fostering a sense of community pride and historical awareness.
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The Wreck of the Kowloon Bridge
40 years after the disaster, a talk by Captain Sean O’Mahony on Monday, 19th October, 8pm at Bantry Christian Fellowship Hall. All welcome.
Projects
We launch initiatives – from archaeological surveys to literary collections – uncovering our history & bringing it to life for locals and visitors.
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Abbey Mapping Project
5,674 Memorials were logged in Bantry Abbey Cemetery and their details are now available on Find A Grave.
“The Bantry Historical & Archaeological Society is the heartbeat of our local heritage. Without the tireless dedication of our volunteers and their research, preservation and community engagement, many of these stories – and the artifacts that tell them – might have been lost to time.
We don’t just collect history; we hope to keep it alive for everyone who walks through these doors.”
– Hazel Vickery, Museum Curator
Our Latest News
See our full News listing here.
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The Wreck of the Kowloon Bridge
40 years after the disaster, a talk by Captain Sean O’Mahony on Monday, 19th October, 8pm at Bantry Christian Fellowship Hall. All welcome.
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Local Place Names
Have you ever wondered about where local place names come from? A talk by Dan Sullivan on Monday, 21st Sept, 8pm at Bantry Christian Fellowship Hall. All welcome.
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Celebrating 40 Years!
Founded in 1986 by Bantry Historical Society, Bantry Museum celebrates her 40th Anniversary this year.
Get Involved
Help us keep Bantry’s history alive. Join as a member, volunteer at the museum or support our research projects.