Weathered Cannon Guards Ireland’s Historic Bantry Bay

Weathered Cannon Guards Ireland’s Historic Bantry Bay in West County Cork.

A weathered cannon on the grounds at Bantry House stands guard over a fleet of pleasure craft on Bantry Bay in County Cork, Ireland.

As one of the most protected bays with the longest inlet in Southwest Ireland, Bantry Bay has seen its share of maritime military activity.

In 1689, a French fleet with 7,000 troops sailed into Bantry Bay to aid James II in his battle against William of Orange.

The tables turned in 1697 when William of Orange landed some of his troops there.

More than 100 years later, in 1796, an armada of 43 French battleships with 15,000 soldiers entered Bantry Bay to back an Irish rebellion against the British.

Facing bad weather and fearing they would be trapped in the bay, the French abandoned that operation and narrowly escaped.

Now, Bantry is a lively market town and a great base for touring scenic West County Cork.