Ilnacullin (Garinish Island)

This is a spectacular destination that is a must see in Ireland! The Gurus Team thoroughly enjoyed their time on the island. There was so much to enjoy there such as spectacular views, wild life, immaculate gardens and history. The seals laze about on the rocks on the southern shore, they are lovely to look at on the ferry across to the island.

Located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, in southwest Ireland, Ilnacullen us 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 Annan Bryce, then owner of the island and Harold Peto, architect and garden designer. The island was bequeathed to Irish people in 1953, and subsequently entrusted to the care of the Commissioners of Public Works. Today management of the island is in the hands of the Office of Public Works (OPW)

The Island is named Garinish (the near island) on official Ordnance Survey Maps and is widely known by that name. The alternative name Ilnacullin or Illauncullin (island of holly) also appears on at least one early map: it may in fact be the older name for the island. As there is another island garden called Garinish not far away in County Kerry, there is much to be said for using the distinctive name Ilnacullin for the island off Glengarriff, County Cork, and this has been the practice of the Office of Public Works for some years now.

The Island is open to visitors each day from 1st March to 31st October. During the winter months, from November to February, it is closed to visitors except by special arrangements. Ilnacullin is reached from Glengarriff by privately operated boats. A charge for admission to Ilnacullin is made by the OPW on arrival to the island which is separate to the fares collected by the private boats.

Ilnacullin is renowned for its richness of plant form and colour, changing continuously with the season. The vivid colours of Rhodoendrons and Azaleas reach their peak during May and June whilst the hundreds of cultivars of climbing plants, herbaceous perennials and choice of shrubs dominate the midsummer period from June to August. Autumn colour, particularly on the magnificient heather bank, is rich during the usually mild early autumn months of September and October. Because of its sheltered situation and the warming of oceanic influences of the Gulf Stream the climate is in some respects almost sub tropical, and is favourable to the growth of ornamental plants from many parts of the world. Winters are mind and frosts are light and short duration. Average rainfall and humidity levels are high, the mean annual rainfall being 1850mm (73 inches) with annuals as high as 2540mm (100 inches) on record.

When you arrive make sure you purchase a trail route and stopping guide from the entrance as this will help make the trip even more enjoyable so you can experience every corner of the island.

Right now the Rhododendrons (Rhododendron cv.) are in flower and are putting on a colour storm. Plants were sourced widely such as the Southern Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica) and the colourful New Zealand Ti Tree (Leptospermum scoparium cv.) which are also in flower right now. Another stunner to look out for in the Paeony Rose (Paeonia lactiflora). There are many exposed rocks on the island and a great idea to cover them is to train climbing roses such as the Albertine Rose (Rosa, Old Rose, ‘Albertine’).

There are so many unusual plants to see on this island and the ones not to be missed include Climbing Abelia (Abelia floribunda), the Variegated Griselinia (Griselinia littoralis ‘Bantry Bay’) and Orange Flowering Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia sanguinea).