Sonya's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Glengarriff outdoors
With a a very relaxed colony of seals to view close up on the way over, Garnish is a beautiful day out. Italian style garden to take in at your leisure. 3 ferry options from Glengarriff Village
74 locals recommend
Garinish Island
With a a very relaxed colony of seals to view close up on the way over, Garnish is a beautiful day out. Italian style garden to take in at your leisure. 3 ferry options from Glengarriff Village
A brilliant swimming hole, although very fresh. Pooleen is a big pool in the river with a gorgeous waterfall constantly feeding it. A favorite with families. Great place to bring a camping barbecue.
Pooleen Wood
A brilliant swimming hole, although very fresh. Pooleen is a big pool in the river with a gorgeous waterfall constantly feeding it. A favorite with families. Great place to bring a camping barbecue.
Barley Lake itself has a circumference that takes over an hour to get around. Wear your best waterproof hiking boots. There is a more skilled 5 hr hike over the mountains, but you would need a map for this. http://glengarriff.ie/barley-lake/
6 locals recommend
Barley Lake
Barley Lake itself has a circumference that takes over an hour to get around. Wear your best waterproof hiking boots. There is a more skilled 5 hr hike over the mountains, but you would need a map for this. http://glengarriff.ie/barley-lake/
from the main carpark there is the meadow walk, 40mins and the river walk, 15mins. Both of these are stunning and can be done 1 after the other. Drive out the other side of carpark, turn left and pull in at a few woodland openings on the right for some more easy trails
35 locals recommend
Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve
from the main carpark there is the meadow walk, 40mins and the river walk, 15mins. Both of these are stunning and can be done 1 after the other. Drive out the other side of carpark, turn left and pull in at a few woodland openings on the right for some more easy trails
This area has a few very good swim spots. Walk past the Blue pool ferry out onto the point or down to the pontoon. Stay between the 2 for cleaner water and out of the way of the ferry.
When restrictions allow, the ferry is the perfect way to get to Garinish Island and seal spotting
http://bluepoolferry.ie/
6 locals recommend
Blue Pool Ferry
Glengarriff RdThis area has a few very good swim spots. Walk past the Blue pool ferry out onto the point or down to the pontoon. Stay between the 2 for cleaner water and out of the way of the ferry.
When restrictions allow, the ferry is the perfect way to get to Garinish Island and seal spotting
http://bluepoolferry.ie/
From our Harbourside House, this is aprox 15mins walk. When restrictions lift, there are kayaking tours arranged from here, but you could bring your own anyway (note: there is nowhere to turn a trailer at our house as the road down to ours is a narrow dead end). Just past the slip way is a path through the trees to some steps for the swimmers. These sheltered areas are perfect for swimmers, but be mindful of the cold etc. Always go together.
Ellen’s Rock
From our Harbourside House, this is aprox 15mins walk. When restrictions lift, there are kayaking tours arranged from here, but you could bring your own anyway (note: there is nowhere to turn a trailer at our house as the road down to ours is a narrow dead end). Just past the slip way is a path through the trees to some steps for the swimmers. These sheltered areas are perfect for swimmers, but be mindful of the cold etc. Always go together.
Whale watching; sea fishing; wildlife tour. All parties catered for
https://bantrybaycharters.ie/index.html
Bantry Bay Charters
Glengarriff RoadWhale watching; sea fishing; wildlife tour. All parties catered for
https://bantrybaycharters.ie/index.html
https://wildatlanticwildlife.ie/
13 locals recommend
West Cork Sailing and Powerboating Centre/Wild Atlantic Wildlife
https://wildatlanticwildlife.ie/
Best beach thats less than an hour away. Good for swimming, nice location. Close to a bar that serves food. With a bit of history close by from the copper mining. Drive through Castletownbere and then turn right, its sign posted. Its straight on this road until you get there and straight to Castletown from Glengarriff, its very easy to get too. La Garage is a great Brasserie to stop for food in Castletownbere
Ballydonegan Beach
Best beach thats less than an hour away. Good for swimming, nice location. Close to a bar that serves food. With a bit of history close by from the copper mining. Drive through Castletownbere and then turn right, its sign posted. Its straight on this road until you get there and straight to Castletown from Glengarriff, its very easy to get too. La Garage is a great Brasserie to stop for food in Castletownbere
Spectacular views from cafe, on the road between Allihies and Castletownbere. Lovely grounds and visitors welcome to have a look. Before the pandemic there was a free, anyone welcome meditation once a week. Its worth checking their website for the currect situation
https://www.dzogchenbeara.org/cafe/
17 locals recommend
Dzogchen Beara
Spectacular views from cafe, on the road between Allihies and Castletownbere. Lovely grounds and visitors welcome to have a look. Before the pandemic there was a free, anyone welcome meditation once a week. Its worth checking their website for the currect situation
https://www.dzogchenbeara.org/cafe/
http://glengarriff.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/50-Things-To-Do-In-Glengarriff.pdf
45 locals recommend
Glengarriff
http://glengarriff.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/50-Things-To-Do-In-Glengarriff.pdf
Shallow swimming and snorkelling, great for kids. Gets a bit over-run. Set off early.
8 locals recommend
Zetland Pier
Shallow swimming and snorkelling, great for kids. Gets a bit over-run. Set off early.
Bonane Heritage Park
Beautiful walk with lovely scenery...a very special spot
http://gleninchaquinpark.com/
Excellent for groups or families. Lots of little trails and some swim spots and picnic areas. Stunning scenery
43 locals recommend
Gleninchaquin Park
http://gleninchaquinpark.com/
Excellent for groups or families. Lots of little trails and some swim spots and picnic areas. Stunning scenery
Healy pass
R574Amazing views from the top of the valley. Safe to drive
City/town information
Make the most of it and do a few walks. Early in the morning is always quieter and better for spotting wildlife
45 locals recommend
Glengarriff
Make the most of it and do a few walks. Early in the morning is always quieter and better for spotting wildlife
Picturesque tourist town with some good restauraunts. A beautiful drive down the mountain from Kenmare to Glengarriff.
I recommend, for food, making up your own mind, there are a lot of good ones, check out tripadvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g211860-Kenmare_County_Kerry.html
74 locals recommend
Kenmare
Picturesque tourist town with some good restauraunts. A beautiful drive down the mountain from Kenmare to Glengarriff.
I recommend, for food, making up your own mind, there are a lot of good ones, check out tripadvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g211860-Kenmare_County_Kerry.html
Traveler advice
Don't miss
meadow walk Glengarriff Nature Reserve
Bring clothing suitable for wet days, the weather can be changeable.