Bantry Bay

Bantry Bay cuts deep into the mountainous southwest coast of Ireland between the Beara and Sheep's Head peninsulas. Its sheltered inner waters give ships an anchorage, though the broad entrance is exposed to Atlantic weather. In December 1796 a French expedition intended to support the United Irishmen reached the bay after sailing from Brest. Its commander General Hoche was separated from much of the fleet, and storms prevented a landing. The scattered ships returned to France, leaving the attempted invasion unfulfilled.