What would Marie Antoinette have to say? We were shocked. Frankly flabbergasted, as a young girl whizzed past us on roller skates. Just as we had stopped to admire Marie Antoinette's tapestry in the ca. 1770 Rose Room.

The 18th c. Bantry House in County Cork is no ordinary landmark property. Today, the ninth generation White family (since 1739) makes it home. Their home. A real living museum, including 4 kids & rollerskates.

Ireland is full of castles & grand old homes to enjoy, like the Bantry House. This massive Georgian estate fronts onto its namesake, Bantry Bay. In the back are Italianate gardens (wisteria lovers, go in May). And also the "stairway to heaven." Climb 100 steps up for an incredible view back down.

Inside the artwork & furnishings are well suited to the Georgian style. High ceilings. Original wooden floors. Plenty of moldings around the rooms. It's a fabulous place with years of the various Whites' personality evident in its decoration.

The amazing part of our self-guided house tour (9-6p.m. March thru October) was the fact that it was just that...self-guided. We saw a vast array of treasured furniture, bibelots & exquisite porcelain. A famous tapestry, purportedly given to Marie Antoinette, hangs majestically with other fine tapestries & paintings. And on the floors, gorgeous palace-size savonnerie carpets, with just enough wood exposed for rollerskating.

You can get up close here. Very close. As close as you want. Remember you're self-guided & there're no guards around. We found ourselves trying not to touch things. Marie's tapestry included. And we were careful opening the old, leather covered doors. Beautifully hand-tooled but with a purpose in mind. They were made to alleviate eavesdropping on the lords & ladies on the other side.

The dining room was our favorite spot. Painted a deep, moody blue (so Georgian) & punctuated with gilt trimmings. You've seen this room if you watched the 1996 version of the movie "Moll Flanders," where some of the scenes were filmed.

Try to stay overnight at the Bantry House. There are 9 bedrooms available on a B&B basis. At night, when only guests & the Whites are there, you can wander the same rooms you saw during the day, continuing your self-guided tour. It's fun to imagine yourself as the lord or lady of this elegant Irish home, while having a word or two about that rollerskating with Marie!