Semi-tropical Ireland!

The beautiful village of Glengariff and Garinish Island are located in a sheltered harbor off Bantry Bay in West Cork. The gardens on Garinish Island are a little piece of ‘tropical paradise’ created by a slightly warmer microclimate caused by the currents of the Gulf Stream. These gardens are famous throughout the World to horticulturists and tree lovers. They owe their existence to the creative partnership, some eighty years ago, of Annan Bryce, then owner of the island, and Harold Peto, architect, and garden designer. Access to the island can be made by a short ferry journey from Glengarriff pier or The Blue Lagoon. This wonderful trip passes ‘Seal Island’ where a permanent colony of 250 harbor seals resides. The island was bequeathed to the Irish people in 1953 and is now under the care of the Commissioners of Public Works. It also boasts a Martello tower on its southern shores which has been restored by the OPW and is now open to the public.

Thanks to Green Ireland for the stunning drone footage of this wonderful area