Excursion Gardens on garnish island tour at Bantry

Experience the spectacular floral beauty and lush gardens of Garnish Island during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Glengarriff, Ferry-Ride and Garnish Island

Depart the pier for the journey to Glengarriff where you will meet the local ferry for the short ferry-ride to Garnish Island, a magnificent, approximately 37-acre (about 15-hectare) island garden.

En route to the Island, you may catch a glimpse of the seals which frequent the rocks on the southern shore. Because of its sheltered situation and the warming oceanic influence of the Gulf Stream, the climate is, in some respects, almost subtropical, and favourable to the growth of ornamental plants from many parts of the world. Winters are mild, and frosts are light and of short duration.

Self-Guided Tour, Flower Beds, Ornamental Pools and Lush Gardens

Upon arrival, take a self-guided tour of this tiny island, which was transformed from a wild blustery isle of uniform green into an artificial Italian idyll almost a century ago. A plethora of flower beds exude a myriad of colour, and much of the exotic flora that was imported here had previously never been seen in Ireland. The ornamental pools and lush gardens of this decorative haven highlight the natural beauty of the region.

Perennials, Shrubs, Italian Gardens, Colonnaded Terraces, Pools, and a Ferry-Ride

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-August. Autumn colours, particularly on the magnificent heather bank, are rich during the usually mild early-Autumn months of September and October.

The centrepiece is the Italian Garden, with its formal colonnaded terraces and pools. This serene beauty of this exotic, breath-taking garden beck on to all who visit it. In addition to the gardens, Garnish Island offers splendid panoramic vistas of picturesque scenery and the surrounding areas. At the conclusion of your visit, embark the ferry for the short ride back to the pier to re-join your coach for the return journey to Bantry.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking, at times over uneven surfaces, hills and inclines, with three steps to negotiate to embark/disembark the coach and the ferry and many steps on the island. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear warm, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe and non-slip walking shoes, and bring weatherproof jacket from the ship. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Glengariff, Ferry-Ride, Seals, Garnish Island, Flowers, Plants, Lush Gardens, Italian Garden, Colonnaded Terraces, Ornamental Pools