Garnish Island facts for kids
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Native name:
Garinis
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Landing slip at Garnish Island
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 Garnish Island
Location in island of Ireland
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| Geography | |
| Location | Bantry Bay |
| Coordinates | 51°44′11″N 9°32′28″W / 51.73639°N 9.54111°W |
| Administration | |
| Province | Munster |
| County | Cork |
Garnish Island (sometimes Garinish Island, or Garinis in Irish) is a beautiful island in Glengarriff harbour. It's a popular spot for tourists in Bantry Bay, located in southwest Ireland. The Office of Public Works calls it Ilnacullin (which means 'island of holly' in Irish) to avoid confusion with another Garinish Island in County Kerry. This island is famous for its amazing gardens.
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Discovering Garnish Island's Past
The garden on Garnish Island was designed by Harold Peto, a famous garden designer. He created it for its owner, John Annan Bryce, who was from Belfast. John and his wife, Violet, bought the island in 1910 from the War Office. This was a government department that handled military matters.
After Violet passed away in 1939, their son Roland gave the island to the Irish nation in 1953. The Office of Public Works then took over its care. They still look after the island today. Garnish Island is well-known for its beautiful gardens and interesting buildings. A large house was planned by Peto, but it was never built. Famous writers like George Bernard Shaw and George William Russell have visited the island.
The Martello Tower
There is an old Martello tower on the island. This tower was built during the time of the Napoleonic Wars. These wars happened a long time ago, in the early 1800s. The Garnish tower is shaped like a straight cylinder. This is different from other Martello towers in Ireland, which often get wider at the bottom.
Mains electricity, which is the regular power supply for homes, came to the island in the early 1950s. It arrived through cables strung overhead.
Exploring the Gardens of Ilnacullin
Ilnacullin covers about 15 hectares (which is about 37 acres). It is famous for its gardens, which grow very well here. This is because of the mild, humid micro-climate in Glengarriff harbour. A micro-climate is like a small area with its own special weather. The gardens are also helped by many pine trees that protect them from strong winds.
Garden Structures to See
As you explore the gardens, you will find several interesting buildings. These include a clock tower and a Grecian temple. There is also the Martello tower we talked about earlier. You can also see an Italian casita, which is a small house or cabin.
How to Visit Garnish Island
You can get to Garnish Island by taking one of several ferry services. These ferries leave from the village of Glengarriff. Some popular ones are the Harbour Queen Ferry, Blue Pool Ferry, or Ellens Rock. Often, these ferry trips also include a tour to see a nearby seal colony.
The island has an admission charge, meaning you need to pay to enter. As of 2017, the cost was €5 per person. If you have your own boat, you can land on the island. However, there is not much space at the main landing point where the ferries dock.
