Around 1700, Bantry House was built on the South side of Bantry Bay. Blackrock was its original name. In 1750, Councillor Richard White bought Blackrock from Samuel Hutchinson and changed the name to Seafield. The Whites had settled on Whiddy Island across the Bay in the late 17th century, after having originally been merchants in Limerick. The family prospered and considerable purchases of land were made in the locality. By the 1780s, Bantry House comprised some 80,000 acres although much of this would not be arable. Bantry House overlooks Bantry Bay. It is a stately home. It has been open to the public since 1946, and since approximately 1990 has offered bed and breakfast accommodations. The Bantry House gardens were developed by the second Earl of Bantry and his wife Mary. They took inspiration from their travels across Europe. The gardens contain seven terraces in all, the house is located on the third of these. The famous 100 steps are located behind the house and appear to rise out of a magnificent fountain and are surrounded by wonderful azaleas and rhododendron. The gardens are a pleasure to visit at any time of year and are constantly undergoing restoration works to help improve and maintain them. In 1796, Theobald Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen attempted to land a formidable French armada, commanded by Admiral Hoche in Bantry bay. It was intended to expel the British and establish an Irish Republic. The armada consisted of 50 naval warships and 15,000 men. Richard White, having heard about the invasion had trained a militia to oppose the landing as he and his tenants were loyal to the British crown. Munitions were stored in Bantry House for safe keeping. Look outs were posted on Both Mizen Head and Sheep's Head to send warning of an invasion. In the end the French armada never had a chance of landing. The weather was to severe, even ship to ship communication was to difficult. 10 ships were lost. One of these 'The Surveillante' remained on the bottom of Bantry bay for almost 200 years.