Garnish Island (also confusingly called Ilnacullin Island) is nestled in Glengarriff harbour in the famous Bantry Bay. Garnish Island benefits from the gulf stream is an amazing garden. The gardens are spectacular and the highlight is the Italian Garden. It is the ideal venue for a day out with a picnic, with walks, gardens, a cafe and even a Martello tower looking out over the bay.

The island is accessed by a short ferry ride and there are three ferries in operation – One from the Blue Pool , The Ferry from the Glengarriff Pier and a small intimate ferry from Shrone pier. The cost of the trip is between €8 and €12 which doesn’t include the entry ticket to the Island (althought this is an annoyance – I would highly reccommend this as one of the best trips in West Cork).

There’s a very tame seal colony in the harbour and each ferry will stop and allow you to see the seals – when the pups are learning to fend for themselves is probably the most interesting time of the year.

Glengarriff Lodge offers luxury self catering accommodation in Glengarriff – Contact us now here to enquire on availability at the Lodge