Renowned island to get interpretative centre

AN interpretive centre is to be built on one of West Cork’s most-visited islands in a bid to boost tourism.

Leo Varadkar, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, announced a €2.4 million grant has been approved from the Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Capital Investment Programme for the Garinish Island project.

It will be used to restore the island’s existing residence and transform it into an interpretative centre to tell the story of the island and its occupants.

Some of the money will also be set aside to fund improvements to the island’s slipway and to floodlight a Martello tower in one corner of the island.

The 37-acre island is located in a sheltered area of Glengarriff Bay. Its sheltered location and the warming oceanic influence of the Gulf Stream have combined to create an almost subtropical microclimate, which helps the growth of ornamental plants from around the world.

Garinish Island is renowned around the globe for its magnificent Italian gardens, rare trees and exotic shrubs and flowers.

The gardens were created some 80 years ago by the then owner of the island, Annan Bryce, and Harold Peto, architect and garden designer.

The island was bequeathed to the state in 1953 and is managed by the Office of Public Works.

Colm MacCarthy, the chairman of Glengarriff Tourism and Development Association, said he was delighted with the funding allocation, especially given the current economic conditions.

“The minister’s announcement is a substantial investment in the area and an uplifting conclusion to GTDA’s Garinish 100 Centenary celebrations,” he said.

“The proposed interpretative centre will greatly add to visitors’ experiences and understanding of Garinish Island, its unique history, plant collection and ecosystem.”