Village Information

Glengarriff, Gleann Garbh in Irish, meaning "Rough Glen", is a village of approximately 800 people in the south-west region of County Cork, Ireland. Known internationally as a tourism venue, it boasts many natural attractions. It sits at the northern head of Glengarriff Bay, a smaller enclave of Bantry Bay. Located 20 km (~12 miles) west of Bantry, and 30 km (~18 miles) east of Castletownbere, it is a popular stop along the routes around the area.

Glengarriff is positioned on a sheltered bay surrounded by high mountains. Notable among local attractions is the island garden of Ilnacullin, also known as Garnish or Garinish Island. The old round Martello tower offers a broad view of the surrounding area, and was built to guard against a threatened Napoleonic invasion.

The nearby national forest (the glen that gave Glengarriff its name) contains some of the oldest and most extensive oak and birch groves left in Ireland. A short but steep trail leads up to Lady Bantry's Lookout, offering a vista of Bantry Bay and the West Cork area, and there are several other attractive walks by the river and through the forest. Another attraction is the more recently developed Bamboo Park behind Toad Hall. Walking trails in the area are extensive: kayaking on the bay is regularly scheduled, and live music is frequently available in the evenings at local pubs, particularly during the tourist season. Glengarriff also offers shops, art galleries, pubs, restaurants & other services.