West Cork Hotel Blog

The Irish version of Don’t Tell The Bride (episode 4) landed with a crash here at the Eccles Hotel in West Cork in May. The show had us all fearing the worst yet hoping for the best. Tension on the day was almost unbearable as we waited to see how the bride would react to the flamboyant ideas of the groom which included a bouncey castle?

The wedding passed without a hitch thank goodness and the couple are now happily wed. The response on twitter was immense with many (read most) of the comments unfit for publication here but it must be said that the groom’s ideas and personality made for an interesting if not entertaining show. We hope more down to earth couples are aware that not all weddings at the Eccles hotel are completely ‘out there’. For example we can and are happy to help you find a wedding photographer in West Cork before the day of the wedding (unlike the groom who seemed to forget of the importance of recording what is possibly one of the most important days of his life to date in pictures until the last moment). In fact most (make that all) of the weddings we host here are better organised than the one shown on Don’t Tell The Bride but I guess that wouldn’t make for a very good TV show. I can’t quite visualise RTE doing a show called Boring Irish Weddings or something similar. So if you are thinking of having your wedding in West Cork please don’t use the show as a gauge of what a normal wedding is like at the Eccles Hotel.

We at Eccles Hotel would like to congratulate the newly weds on the start of their new life together and wish them a long and happy future together.

The walking in West Cork is famous with walkers from around the globe for it’s stunning scenery and wide range of terrain.

West Cork Walking Festival

Every May sees west Cork host their famous walking festival where tourists and locals are invited to explore Bantry Bay and it’s out-lying island’s. Organised walks of 1 hour to 6 hours take place over a variety of different diffculty levels ensuring that there is something for everyone.

The Sheeps Head Way

This walk is ideal for the more experienced walker who is looking for a challenge. At 55 miles long it is an achievemnet in itself to complete the route let alone in one day. During the course of the walk you will experience breathtaking views of both Bantry Bay and Dunmanus Bay which are both in view simultaneously at certain points along the way. On top of that you will have the pleasure of discovering and exploring the many delightful historical and archaeological sites along the way.

Glengarriff is an ideal centre for sightseeing in West Cork.

The Ring of Beara offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland , while south of Glengarriff lies the town of Bantry. Travel north via the Caha Pass to Kenmare, Co. Kerry; travel east and visit picturesque Gougane Barra. Well worth a trip is a visit to Barley Lake.

In Glengarriff itself, the Glengarriff Bamboo Park is a delightful site on the inner harbour which offers spectacular views and an opportunity to see sub tropical palms and bamboos that thrive there.

The Glengarriff Nature Reserve encloses one of the few forests of Native Oak remaining in Ireland. Walks, nature trails and picnic areas are all found easily with the area.

A short boat trip across the harbour will take you to Garnish Island . This world famous island is a sub tropical garden paradise. Other features on the island include a replica Sun Temple and a well preserved Napoleonic Martello Tower.

Something you would probably not expect when visiting Ireland is a bamboo forest, however this is exactly what you will find when you visit the Glengariff Bamboo Park located in close vicinity to the hotel. The exotic gardens feature 30 different varieties of bamboo and 12 varieties of palm trees to bring a tropical twist to the area. Recently a number of other tropical plants have been introduced and are flourishing in the unexpected sub-tropical climate which graces the area.

Perfect for a romantic afternoon where you can take in breathtaking views across the bay and discover the 13 mysterious stone pillars, believed to be of ancient origin, the bamboo park will instantly seduce you.

Take the scenic route and discover the true beauty of the area, from the Beara Way with its rugged mountains and its beautiful lakes to the lush valley of Gougane Barra with its forest and the quaint St. Finbar’s Church.

The calm waters, (Glengarriff is situated on the Gulf Stream), are ideal for sailing and a boat trip to the miniature temple and splendid grounds of the famous Garnish Island (ILNACULLIN) is a must. And, with activities such as golfing, pony trekking, hill walking and salmon fishing virtually on tap you will not be at a loose end.

Local golf courses are situated at Kenmare, Bantry, and of course at Glengarriff, which every year is the host to the famous Maureen O’Hara Golf Classic.

The Italian gardens of Garnish Island, also known as Ilnacullin (island of holly) is nestled in Glengarriff harbour, Bantry Bay, West Cork, a stones throw from the hotel. The attractions of the island are numerous considering it covers just 15 hectares (37 acres). The famous gardens are not the only attraction as they are inevitably accompanied by a plethora of wild life and also for history enthusiasts, a Martello Tower. First time visitors are frequently pleasantly surprised by the presence of considerable numbers of seals on the southern shores of the island.

Visitors are welcome to take the short privately operated taxi ferry trip to the island from the 1st March to 31st October each year when the weather is at its most enjoyable and the garden is in its full splendour. The island and gardens are closed for the remainder of the year.

Access to this treasure is due to the generosity of Anna Byrne the previous owner of te island who bestowed it upon the Irish people in 1953. Therefore the island is now caringly managed by the Office of Public Works who charge a small fee for the pleasure of a visit.

The Italian Gardens

Designed by Harold Peto the acclaimed English architect and garden designer who’s genius is omnipresent in the houses of Kensington & Chelsea, London, the garden is delightful to visit throughout the growing season and autumn. Emerging from the winter the Rhododendrons and Azaleas dominate the landscape with their magnificent blooms peaking in May and June. The spring gives way to a stunning array of cultivars of climbing plants, perennials and extraordinary ornamental shrubs which bring with them unforgettably vivid colours and shapes. The autumn Heather signals the approach of the end of the tourist season and a last chance to enjoy the out of this world beauty of Garnish Island.

The structures present in the garden are an equally attractive pull for tourists. The Grecian Temple, Italian Temple, and a Martello Tower give an equally impressive feeling to the garden. A perfect fit.

The Martello Tower

This relic from the Napoleonic era is a historical reminder of times past in the south west of Ireland. Originally used as a defence post against artillery it house up to 25 men and was a key element in the strategy of the British Army who launched their own artillery from the flat roof. Thankfully it is better known today as a tourist attraction due to its impressive standing in the remote nature of Ilnacullin.