Moving Along Bantry Bay To Glengarriff

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

After a rest day in Castletownbere we started on Wednesday for a town further east on the Beara peninsula: Glengarriff. This is known for its sub-tropical flora and a beautiful botanic gardens situated on an island in Bantry Bay. The weather had turned just a bit cooler - the temperature was in the mid 50's as we started out in the morning and reached into the low 60's. But a strong breeze kept things cool and we cycled with windbreakers for most of the ride. Taking the coast road all the way, the panorama of Bantry Bay and, again, rugged mountains kept me repeating - "it's so beautiful." With a population of only 4.5 million in all of the republic, Ireland is sparsely inhabited and it amazed me that vast areas of spectacular seacoast had so few homes. But the ones we saw were perched with mountain as backdrop and broad views of the sea. The houses are lovely - most looked well-cared for and give a very neat appearance.

After having spent a rest day (two nights) in Castletownbere (left blue circle) we biked along the coast to the Glengarriff (center blue). On Thursday we'll bike to Gougane Barra (right circle). To see this map larger, just click it.

The ride today was only about 25 miles but there was one really long hill - not a terribly steep grade but a long one - it seemed to go on forever. With a stop half way for shopping at an Irish crafts store (touted as one of the best in Ireland), we coasted into Glengarriff at about one o'clock just in time for lunch. This was the smallest town we'd been in yet - one street and a short one at that - lined with some shops, restaurants, pubs and a couple of hotels. A ferry in the middle of town left for the island with its botanic garden which we skipped in favor of a hike on the shore and through some woods.

A group shot before we set off from Castletownbere on Wednesday morning. Destination: Glengarriff, 22 miles away. Click on any photo to see it larger.

On the coast road: a cemetery with rugged mountains as a backdrop.

You talking to me?

Coming downhill toward me -- Janice, then Ed, then Jim.

Speeding down a long hill into Glengarriff and lunch. Remember this - in order to go down, we had to go up first!

Helen enjoys the pause that refreshes. We've reached our destination, Glengarriff and sit out in the sun at a pub.

Lunch was grand: Irish smoked salmon on brown bread and the most wonderful chowder. And to wash it all down, a pint of Guinness stout.


Dinner was at the pub in the hotel we were staying at: the Glengarriff Park Hotel. I went for a walk after dinner to admire the full moon filling the Irish sky

Three lovely lassies: Bryony, Janice and Helen at dinner in the hotel bar.

Fun in Glengarrif's Murphy's pub.

Even though there weren't many tourists in town this early in the season, this place was jumping: Murphy's pub.


Tomorrow we'll leave for Googane Barra and then our final trip on Friday back to Killarney. The end is in sight and I'm getting sad already.

Ciao! - Matteo

To see all of today's photos just CLICK HERE.