Bantry Museum stands at the heart of Bantry Historical Society’s efforts to preserve and share local heritage
Housed in a distinctive building perched on the rock behind Bantry Fire Station, the museum opened its doors on August 3, 1986 – the result of nearly a decade of dedicated negotiation, research, and artifact sourcing led by key figures such as Eugene O’Sullivan and Patricia Greacen.
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday, June to September
Tuesday – Thursday, October to May
10.30 – 4.30
lunch 1-2 ish
Suggested Donation €2
Inside, visitors encounter an eclectic collection that traces the town’s industrial and domestic history. Highlights include the Coomhola Anvil, forged at the Iron Ore Smelting Works in Mill Little during the early 18th century, alongside more recent items like a woollen blanket from the Bantry Woollen Mills and a Flatley clothes drier manufactured in Newtown in the 1960s.
Beyond these physical objects, the museum serves as BHAS’s reference library and archive, housing shelves filled with handwritten research, maps, newspaper clippings, photographs and typed historical records.
Supported by the local community and staffed by volunteer members with assistance from Bantry Community Employment, Bantry Museum invites everyone to step inside and uncover the people, stories and events that have shaped Bantry through the centuries.
Find us up the steps
behind the
Fire Station on
Bantry Square
P75 TC64
“A true gem! What a beautiful place to visit.”
“WOW! It might be small but it packs a punch with so much fascinating stuff.”
“There are amazing items in here, old pictures, old clothes that the women wore.”
“Really good collection – local material of a disparate nature but fascinating.”
Museum News
You’ll find our full News listing here.
-
Celebrating 40 Years!
Founded in 1986 by Bantry Historical Society, Bantry Museum celebrates her 40th Anniversary this year.
-
Festival Fresh
With the West Cork Literary Festival buzzing this week, we’ve given our book, newspaper and photo catalogues and displays a fresh update.
-
The Flyers are Flying
We’ve just printed a new flyer for the Bantry Museum! 🏛️ You might start spotting these popping up around the town and area over the next few weeks.
-
Shout Out to Bantry CU
True to its ethos, of the community for the community, Bantry Credit Union has generously shared some of its window space to local voluntary organizations from the town to showcase their activities.
-
Bantry Museum Digitisation
Addressing the documentation, condition, storage, use and accessibility of the museum’s collections.
-
Bantry Through the Ages
This exhibition is designed to show some of the achievements of the society to date, and highlight some of our local heritage.