🌺 Discovering West Cork – Garnish Island & Glengarriff Day Trip

Join us as we continue our Discovering West Cork series with a relaxing summer day trip to the beautiful Garnish Island and the charming village of Glengarriff.

We’ll enjoy a scenic ferry ride across Glengarriff Harbour, pass the local seal colony, explore the island’s famous Italian Gardens and woodland paths, then return to Glengarriff for an optional stroll or coffee together.

Whether you’ve visited before or it’s your first visit, it’s a wonderful opportunity to explore one of West Cork’s most beautiful destinations while meeting new people in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

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📍 Meeting Point

Blue Pool Ferry Ticket Kiosk, Glengarriff Village

🕚 Saturday 4th July

Meeting Time: 11:00 AM

Please arrive on time. We’ll be purchasing our ferry tickets together before boarding the 11:30 AM ferry, so arriving by 11:00 AM will ensure everyone has enough time to buy tickets, meet the group and board comfortably without rushing.

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🚤 Ferry Information

We’ll be travelling with Blue Pool Ferry.

No online booking is available. We’ll simply purchase our ferry tickets together at the ticket kiosk before departure.

More information:
https://bluepoolferry.ie/book-now/

Tel. +353 (27) 63333

Email: info@bluepoolferry.ie
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🌿 What to Expect

• Scenic ferry ride across Glengarriff Harbour
• Opportunity to see the local seal colony during the crossing
• Explore the beautiful Italian Gardens
• Wander through peaceful woodland paths
• Visit the historic Martello Tower for panoramic views
• Plenty of time for photos and relaxed conversation
• Optional lunch or coffee at the island café
• Optional stroll around Glengarriff village after returning from the island

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📏 Route Details

• Easy walking throughout the island

• Approximately 2-3 hours to explore at a relaxed pace

• Difficulty: Easy – suitable for most fitness levels

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💰 Costs

Please note that each attendee purchases their own tickets.

🚤 Blue Pool Ferry (Return)

• Adult: €12.50

• Student: €10.00

• Child (Under 16): €7.50

🌺 Garnish Island Admission (Office of Public Works)

• Adult: €5.00

• Group / Senior: €4.00

• Student / Child: €3.00

• Family: €13.00

Estimated total cost:

• Adult: €17.50 (excluding food, drinks and transport)

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🚗 Getting There

By Car

You’re welcome to drive directly to Glengarriff. Parking is available close to the ferry departure point.

🚘 Carpooling

If you have a car and are happy to offer a lift to other members, or if you don’t have a car and are looking to share a lift, we’d love to help you connect.

Please join our WhatsApp group to arrange carpooling with other attendees.

💬 WhatsApp Group

‎Open this link to join my WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KqZQpR1NCovEtJBhC1Eex2?mode=gi_t

Carpooling is arranged voluntarily between members. Petrol costs can be shared by mutual agreement.

🚌 By Bus

If you’re travelling from Cork by public transport, Bus Éireann Route 236 operates between Cork and Glengarriff.

Current Saturday services include:

• 08:30 AM Cork → Glengarriff (arrives approximately 10:35 AM)

• Return services currently include approximately 2:12 PM and 6:00 PM.

The afternoon return service doesn’t allow enough time to enjoy the full event, so the 6:00 PM bus is the recommended option for anyone travelling by public transport.

Please check the latest Bus Éireann timetable before travelling, as schedules may change.
https://www.buseireann.ie/routes-and-timetables/236

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🌦 Weather

Early forecasts suggest pleasant summer conditions, with temperatures around 18°C and a mix of cloud and sunny spells.

As we’ll be spending time outdoors and on a ferry, coastal weather can change quickly, so we recommend bringing:

✔ Comfortable walking shoes

✔ Layers suitable for Irish weather

✔ A light waterproof jacket

We’ll only make changes to the event if weather conditions become unsafe. Otherwise, we’ll go ahead as planned.

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💡 Good to Know

• Come solo — most people do.

• The pace will be relaxed, with plenty of opportunities to chat, take photos and enjoy the scenery.

• Lunch and refreshments are optional and at your own expense.

We look forward to spending a relaxing summer day exploring one of West Cork’s most beautiful hidden gems together.

Come solo. Leave with new memories and new connections. 🌺🌿