Bantry House to offer section of orchard for rent to commercial companies

Bantry House is to rent out a section of its orchard in what could be just the first section of the estate to be opened up to commercial companies.

The 18th century walled orchard is part of the Bantry House Estate, measures 1.3 acres, and is home to apple trees, some from the late 19th and early 20th Century, and some beehives that are currently tended to by a local beekeeper.

The rent for the area for the first three years is a modest €1,500 per year on a con acre agreement, and the general manager at Bantry House, Sophie Shelswell-White, said other parts of the estate could also become available for lease.

“It is a beautiful location up there but it would work well with someone who has a keen interest in taking it on for their own commercial business,” she said.

In advertising the part of the orchard for lease, Bantry House said it would suit an experienced gardener/horticulturist wishing to make a business out of market gardening or as a specialist nursery and/or to grow cut flowers.

Leasing out part of the estate is a first for Bantry House and comes after what Ms Shelswell-White described as a “steady” tourist season.