Opened to the public since the 1940s, the house, estate and gardens are a tourist destination in West Cork.

[3] 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 area surrounding the house.

[7][8] The exhibition was designed to cover the French expedition to Ireland in 1796, and the role of Richard White, then owner of the house and later 1st Earl of Bantry, in opposing the attempted landings.

[9] The Armada Centre contained a scale model of the Surveillante and several artifacts recovered from its wreck.