There's a varied history of ownership of West Cork’s highly distinctive Sea Lodge Cottage – it started its days in the early 1700s, when it formed part of the vast Seafield or Bantry House Estate ... which once extended to some 80,000 acres. Later, Sea Lodge Cottage was acquired by Bantry’s 1960s-built Westlodge Hotel on 25 adjacent acres for guest use, while the hotel also had self-catering cottages by a duck pond. But, this original 18th-century lodge to the grand Bantry House by a tiny lagoon-like feature on the N71 approach to the town was then sold off in 2013 after the Westlodge went into a three-year receivership. Attractive original architectural ornamentation includes carved fascia boards, finials, tall chimney stacks and brick detailing around windows. VERDICT: Roadside Seafield setting won’t appeal to some, won’t bother others and is (a)cutely outstanding in its own individualistic way.

Source: Irish Examiner April 05, 2026 09:23 UTC