Ballylickey Manor House
Ballylickey, Bantry Bay, Co. Cork
Tel: 027 50071
Fax: 027 50124
Hidden amidst the rugged inlets of majestic Bantry Bay,
Ballylickey Manor House has been the home of the Franco-Irish Graves family
for four generations. It was originally built more than 300 years ago as a shooting lodge by
Lord Kenmare and was carefully restored by the present owner managers, the Graves family,
in the late 1940s. The motto of the Graves family is
"Aquila non captat muscas" "The eagle does not stoop to capture flies" and over the years this
great Anglo-Irish family has attained prominence in the humanitarian arts of theology and law,
medicine and mathematics, poetry and literature. The eminent poet Robert Graves was an uncle of the
present owners and he visited the house on many occasions so that Ballylickey became a haven for
writers, artists and musicians.
Today, this secluded Manor House retains the ambience of a beautiful family
home, cherished and nurtured over the centuries. Standing on the boundary of Cork and
Kerry, Ballylickey enjoys a stunning romantic
setting overlooking Bantry Bay and surrounded by mountains and moorland. It is set amidst
ten acres of award-winning flower gardens and parkland, with a water garden, arboretum
and a delightful river walk.
Inside the house, there's an atmosphere of quiet luxury in the elegant drawing
rooms, dining rooms, breakfast room and seven luxurious suites. Across the gardens just out
of sight, are the swimming pool and a group of comfortable cottages which offer a choice
of suites and apartments.
Ballylickey's romantic setting makes it ideal for wedding receptions. The hotel can host
intimate wedding parties for up to 45 people in Manor House Restaurant which consists of two
interconnecting rooms, one of which has magnificent views over Bantry Bay. 
The Manor House and Gardens are
private to your wedding party and provide the perfect surroundings for a drinks reception in the garden,
or beside the open fires in the study and writing room.
Ballylickey is also an excellent venue for conferences. The Georgian Library
can accommodate up to 12 people and the hotel offers special accommodation rates and
inclusive packages. A private dining room is also
available. The hotel is also available for private
lettings (minimum of one week), when visitors can
enjoy the deluxe suites, Garden Rooms, Georgian sitting rooms, dining room and
spectacular gardens all private to you and your friends
or family.
