Glengarriff is an important tourist village in the south-west
of Ireland graced with a Gulfstream climate (in fact the North Atlantic
Drift).
Its many attractions include spectacular views of the Harbour, beautiful
nature walks in the ancient oak woods, the celebrated Eccles Hotel,
and of course many friendly Irish Pubs like Bernard Harrington's, The
Blue Loo and Johnny Barry's. Good restaurants like The Rainbow Restaurant,
The Martello and Casey's Hotel.
The name comes from "An Gleann Garbh" - the rugged glen - which is derived from the rugged beauty of the mountains and wooded valleys surrounding the village. Magnificent views of the Caha Mountains and the bulk of Sugarloaf can be seen from the numerous viewpoints along the roads which hug the coastline or wind along the steep sided valleys.
No introduction to Glengarriff would be complete without mention of Garnish Island -
Ireland's most outstanding garden island with its internationally famous collection of plants and world-renowned for its Italian Gardens.
Whilst making the short crossing of the placid waters of the inner bay, the visitor is rewarded by further views of the mainland, and a host of walks, from strolls in the forest with its rivers and glades of oak, to more ambitious treks up the peaks to the Bamboo Park.
As well as abundant natural beauty and an inherent "old world charm, Glengarriff makes an ideal centre for exploring further afield. The wild scenery of the Beara Peninsula starts here, whilst the peace and beauty of the Lakes of Inchigeela, Gougane Barra and the Borlin Valley are only a short drive away.
Glengarriff State Forrest, a National Nature Reserve with its combination of woodland, rocky moorland, waterfalls, streams and bog, at the eastern end of the valley, where they can walk or cycle through our ancient oak forest where some of the trees are about 500 years old. This magnificent area in the heart of old Glengarriff Valley was once the property of Lord Bantry. It contains Lady Bantry's Lookout, which is puported to be the place where the ladies of the time went for their picnics while the men were off shooting. Public road entrances are 1 mile north of the village on the Kenmare Road and less than ½ a mile west of the village on the Castletownbere Road. The area is well signposted and there are plenty of parking and picnic areas.
Located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, in Southwest Ireland, Ilnacullin is a small island of 15 hectares (37 acres) known to horticulturists and lovers of trees and shrubs all around the world as an island garden of rare beauty. The gardens of Ilnacullin owe their existence to the creative partnership, some seventy years ago, of Anna Bryce, then owner of the island and Harold Peto, architect and garden designer. The island was bequeathed to the Irish people in 1953, and was subsequently entrusted to the care of the Commissioners of Public Works. To-day management of the island is in the hands of the Office of Public Works.
The island is named Garnish (the near island) on official Ordnance Survey Maps and is widely known by that name. The alternative name Ilnacullin or Illaunacullin (island of holly) also has a long history in the locality, and appears on at least one early map; it may in fact be the older name for the island. As there is another island garden called Garnish not far away in County Kerry, there is much to be said for using the distinctive name Ilnacullin for the island garden at Glengarriff, County Cork, and this has been the practice of the Office of Public Works for some years now.
Visiting the Island
The island is open to visitors each day from 1st March to 31st October. During the winter months, from November to February, it is closed to visitors except by special arrangement. Ilnacullin is reached from Glengarriff by privately operated boats. A charge for admission to Ilnacullin is made by the Office of Public Works on arrival at the island. This charge is quite separate from the fares collected by boat owners.
Ilnacullin is renowned for its richness of plant form and colour, changing continuously with the seasons. The vivid colours of Rhododendrons and Azaleas reach their peak during May and June, whilst the hundreds of cultivars of climbing plants, herbaceous perennials and choice shrubs dominate the midsummer period from June to August. Autumn colour, particularly on the magnificent heather bank, is rich during the usually mild early autumn months of September and October.
Because of its sheltered situation and the warming oceanic influence of the Gulf Stream the climate is in some respect almost subtropical, and is favourable to the growth of ornamental plants from many parts of the world. Winters are mild, and frosts are light and of short duration.
Average rainfall and humidity levels are high, the mean annual rainfall being 1850 mm (73 inches) with annual totals as high as 2540 mm (100 inches) on record.
Even for those who are not particularly interested in gardens, Ilnacullin is an attractive place to visit. There are many attractive views of the scenery of the surrounding district from the island. Ilnacullin and its surrounding waters are quite rich in wildlife, the seals which frequent the rocks on the southern shore being of particular interest to many visitors.