Bantry narrowly missed fame in the late 18th century, thanks to storms that prevented a French fleet landing to join the United Irishmens rebellion. A local Englishman, Richard White, was rewarded with a peerage for trying to alert the British military in Cork. His grand home opens to the public and this, along with an exhibition devoted to the events of 1796, is now the towns main attraction.

Before Irish independance, Bantry Bay was a major anchorage for the British navy, and after WWII Spanish trawlers were regular visitors. The bays deep waters were also exploited by Gulf Oil who built an oil terminal on Whiddy Island, bringing unexpected prosperity.