Garinish. A Precious Island Gem in lovely Glengarriff

Three more features on Glengarriff to some this week!

Garinish. Precious Island Gem in lovely Glengarriff

In the Italian Garden

Garinish Island, officially known as Ilnacullin, and often spoken of as Garnish Island, is a small island of rare beauty, nestled in the sheltered coastal harbour at Glengarriff in Bantry Bay and nowadays in the hands of the OPW. 

Boarding at the Blue Pool

We were lucky with the weather last week and made it our first port of call on the opening day of our short stay, using Casey's as our base. As usual, we headed for the Blue Pool from which the eponymous ferry company operates. Unusually, the ferry does not take credit cards, while the island entry point does.

The Temple

The boat took us close to Seal Island on our way out, and there were all sizes of seals lounging in the sun. Soon, we landed at Garinish and paid the nominal entry fee. There is also a little café here selling high quality pastries, teas, hot chocolate and cold drinks and you may sit indoors or out. Toilets, the only ones on the island, are also here. There's a water staion if you need to top up your bottle and also a mounted map to check out.

The Bryce family, who created the gardens, gifted the island and this, their, house
to the Irish state in 1953. The building is now a museum, with tours available.

There is a recommended route, but don’t worry if you take a wrong turn, as you’ll soon find your way. It is not very big. The big attraction is the Italian Garden, its beautiful little building, ornamental pool, lawn and walled garden so pleasing to the eye.

Light and shade at the Garinish Café. Dine inside or al fresco.

Not all the walking is so easy, though. There are many steps up to the Martello tower, but do persevere as the views are stunning. There is also a designated viewpoint nearby if you don’t feel like taking the narrow internal staircase to the top of the tower.

The pool in the Italian Garden.

From the tower, head down to the Happy Valley and the Jungle (which has many imported trees and shrubs, some from South America, New Zealand and China, almost as international as the mix of tourists that now visit the beautiful place).

Ferry arriving at the island's slipway.

Be sure also to visit the popular temple, reached via an avenue of Italian cypress and giving superb views out to the sea and the Caha Mountains.

The island is quite small and you won't get lost. Probably best to buy the Visitors Guide (Ilnacullin, by the OPW at the entry office) and, if you follow this, you’ll enjoy your visit even more.

Crossing the bay.

Having enjoyed our time there, we headed to the little harbour and soon our Blue Ferry boat arrived to take us back after a delightful 90 minutes or so in the shade and the sun. Another ferry operates from the eastern sidem of the village and tickets are not inter-changeable.

Also within reach from Glengarriff:

Mizen Head

Sheep's Head Peninsula