Glengarriff Tour
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The name comes from "An Gleann Garbh" - the rugged
glen - which is derived from the rugged beauty of the mountains
and wooded valleys surrounding the village. Magnificent views
of the Caha Mountains and the bulk of Sugarloaf can be seen
from the numerous viewpoints along the roads which hug the coastline
or wind along the steep sided valleys.
Bantry House & Gardens
Bantry
House is a stately home overlooking Bantry Bay in the south
west of Ireland. It is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Shelswell-White
and their children.
Since 1945 the house containing its important collection of
furniture, tapestries and objects d’art has been open
to the public.
Beara Peninsula
The
circuit of the Beara Peninsula is a wild and beautiful area,
with high rugged mountains contrasting with the highly indented
coastline. Castletownbere, the principal town, boasts the second
largest natural harbour in the world and is the major fishing
port of Ireland. Outside the town are the ruins of O'Sullivans
Dunboy Castle and the remains of Puxley's Hall.
Garnish Island
Located
in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, in Southwest
Ireland, Ilnacullin is a small island of 15 hectares (37 acres)
known to horticulturists and lovers of trees and shrubs all
around the world as an island garden of rare beauty. The gardens
of Ilnacullin owe their existence to the creative partnership,
some seventy years ago, of Anna Bryce, then owner of the island
and Harold Peto, architect and garden designer. The island
was bequeathed to the Irish people in 1953, and was subsequently
entrusted to the care of the Commissioners of Public Works.
To-day management of the island is in the hands of the Office
of Public Works.
Glengarriff Bamboo Park
Unique
in Ireland, the South West's newest exotic garden. 30 different
species of Bamboo, 12 different species of Palm trees. Superb
coastal woodland walks. Unique sea view. 13 acres and access
to South Beach.
Glengarriff National Park
The
Nature Reserve has some of Ireland's oldest and largest oaks,
which were planted by the first Earl of Bantry nearly 200 years
ago. Paths leads through the woods and up to Lady Bantry's
Lookout, which offers views of Glengarriff and Bantry
Bay.
Gougane Barra
The
Gougane Barra valley was shaped and deepened during the Pleistocene
Glaciation in the period 200,000 to 10,000 years ago by a glacier
which flowed from the corrie of Com Rua, at the head of the
valley. This glacier flowed eastwards into the Lee Valley where
is deposited extensive sheets of gravel in the Ballingeary
/ Inchigeela area. The lake lies in a basin carved out by the
ice, and although its dark waters and dramatic situation give
the impression of great depth it is in fact no deeper than
90 feet.
Kenmare
Kenmare
is a haven of tranquillity, gourmet food, superb accommodation
and breathtaking scenery in one of the most natural, unspoilt
environments in Europe. Cradled in the heart of Kenmare Bay,
the picturesque town of Kenmare is the perfect location from
which to discover the South West of Ireland, linking the internationally
famous Ring of Kerry with the rugged Ring of Beara.
Walking / Hill Walking
Glengarriff
is one of the best places to view the raw beauty of Ireland.
And what better way of seeing it all, by walking through it.
Glengarriff has many different walking routes to explore each
one has spectacular as the next.
Golf - Bantry Bay Golf Club
Bantry
Bay Golf Club in the South West of Co Cork, Ireland, has been
described as "one of the most spectacular golf courses
in the world". So why not come and see the fantastic scenery
and breathtaking views on a remarkable course.
Golf - Ring of Kerry Golf Club
Famed
for its spectacular scenery, its VIP playing guest list and
the intoxicating hospitality of the Kerry people, the Ring of
Kerry Golf and Country Club has now established itself as the
"must play" course of any golfer visiting Ireland's
south west.
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