Denise Hall: Historic home has gift to keep evolving

One of West Cork’s premier attractions has gone through more changes during its many years of existence but has somehow always managed to survive.

Blackrock, Seafield House or Bantry House as its name finally became,has been the home for two centuries of the White family throughout some turbulent periods of history and some personally challenging times.

The first representative of the family of whom there is any record at Bantry was one Captain Richard White, who was the son of a Simon White, originally from Limerick, who settled on Whiddy Island and prospered from the rich grazing lands, plentiful fishing and possibly the common practice of a little smuggling.