Gardens - Living the Sheep's Head Way

Gardens of the Sheep’s Head Way

May 12, 2016 by Dunmanus

West Cork gardens are shaped by great imaginations and the Gulf Stream climate

We’re able to grow an extraordinary range of plants by our Atlantic coastline thanks to the warmth the Gulf Stream brings. The lovely mild climate we experience all along the Sheep’s Head Way walking route – on the Sheep’s Head peninsula itself and in the more sheltered areas inland – is taken advantage of by our innovative gardeners.

They show great ingenuity, whether they’re working on grand estates or in smaller idylls, each with their own unique character. There are wonders to be found all along the Sheep’s Head Way for anyone with a passion for plants and the beautiful environment we’re blessed with here in West Cork.

Variety and Ingenuity Combined

Explore the terraced West Cork gardens at Bantry House, and climb the steps to look out across the house, its gorgeous grounds, and Bantry Bay. And call to meet the gardeners who bring extraordinary colour and variety to plots across West Cork’s Sheep’s Head peninsula at Ballinvillon, Ballycommane, Heron Gallery and Carraig Abhainn.

Visits to the lovely gardens on the Sheep’s Head peninsula are truly rewarding. And the tearoom at Bantry House and the café at Heron Gallery give you the perfect excuses to treat yourself while you’re on tour!

Our West Cork gardens are close to the mountain trails and cliff-top walks of the Sheep’s Head Way, and, while you’re visiting the area, you’ll enjoy the chance to see our creative craftspeople at work too. There’s creativity in evidence at every turn here, as you’ll soon see!

See the full list of our Sheep’s Head gardens here!

Explore even more West Cork gardens when you set out on the West Cork Garden Trail!

Ballycommane Garden

March 1, 2016 by Dunmanus

Throughout the year, Ballycommane Garden near Durrus offers an array of colour

This lovely West Cork garden features an abundance of flowers as well as a huge variety of mature shrubs and trees. From the ancient boulder-burial site, there is a breathtaking view over the broad valley of the Four Mile Water (Ballycommane River).

You’ll see sheep grazing peacefully on the green hillsides, a clear sign that you’re on the Sheep’s Head Way, one of Ireland’s best-loved walking routes.

Visitors to Ballycommane Garden enjoy the colourful display the garden offers whenever they decide to visit.

There’s lovely established hedging throughout the grounds. The cover provided by the extensive foliage has created tasteful, secluded areas for private contemplation in this lovely West Cork garden. We invite you to walk around, sit down, relax and escape the pressures of everyday life.

Ballycommane, which is located near Durrus, also offers lovely B&B accommodation.

Enjoy visits to a range of wonderful West Cork gardens close to Ballycommane!

Location:	Ballycommane, Durrus, Co. Cork.
Entrance Fee:
Opening Hours:	Call for details.
Tel.	353 27 62799 Email
Email:	:[email protected]
Website:	http://ballycommanehouse.com/
	No information currently available.
TripAdvisor Reviews	No
Google Maps:	Yes Latitude: 51.63577 Longitude: 9.47941
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Bantry House and Gardens

January 8, 2014 by Dunmanus

Take a tour of Bantry House, an exquisite Irish stately home and gardens, still owned by descendants of the original Earl of Bantry who built the house in the mid-1700s

The house’s story is, as you’ll discover, closely interwoven with Irish history. Richard White, Earl of Bantry ensured – with the help of some fierce storms – that Theobald Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen could not complete their plans to invade from Bantry Bay in 1796. Centuries later, the house was one of the few Irish stately homes to survive the War of Independence.

Bantry House provides a gracious setting for the many stunning artefacts which the family has collected from across Europe over the centuries. Meanwhile, the extensive landscaped gardens offer breath-taking views across Bantry Bay. Few visitors resist the temptation to climb the garden’s steps to gain a stunning perspective on this elegant and welcoming historic house.

Self-guided tours of the house and gardens are available, and guided tours with the owner, Sophie Shelswell-White can also be arranged (see below for details). A café is open here during the summer months.

Location:	Bantry, Co. Cork
Opening Hours:	Open Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays.
Winter Hours:	Closed from October-March 2015.
Admission Fee:	Visit the Garden Garden: €5 Annual Garden Passes: €10 and €30 Visit the House and Garden Adults: €11 Concessions/Groups: €8 Groups (20+): €7 Family Tickets 2 Adults 2 Children: €26 Child 6 -16 years old: €3 Child under 6 years old: FREE All the above are self-guided options Guided tour 2pm Tuesdays: €15 per person (includes self-guided visit)
Website:	http://bantryhouse.com
Tel.	00 353 (027)50047
Email:	[email protected]
Credit Cards:	Yes
TripAdvisor Reviews:	Yes
Google Maps:	Yes
	The House and Garden is partially wheelchair accessible with most of the formal garden to visit on gravel or flagstones. The house has the ground floor which consists of the halls, 2 drawing rooms featuring furniture and tapestries from Versailles, the Ante Room and dramatic Dining Room. We do not have a lift and there are 2 full flights of stairs and then half flight going to the library and bedrooms.
Facebook:	Yes
Twitter:	@BantryHouse

Carraig Abhainn Gardens

January 4, 2014 by Dunmanus

Carraig Abhainn Gardens are the beautiful gardens in Durrus cultivated by Hazel and Eugene Wiseman.

Situated in Durrus on the Sheep’s Head peninsula at the top of Dunmanus Bay, Carraig Abhainn is a large garden [1 Hectare (2.5 acres)] bounded by a mill stream, giving this oasis a wonderful sense of peace and serenity.

The mature trees along the river bank and the waterfalls, together with the surrounding hills, give very welcome shelter and protection for the wide variety of tender plants that thrive here.

The garden consists of islands of trees and shrubs surrounded by grass, bark, and gravel paths and has four locally-built bridges crossing the mill stream.

Carraig Abhainn is part of the West Cork Garden Trail. Other wonderful gardens along the Sheep’s Head Way include those at the Heron Gallery and at Bantry House.

Location:	Durrus, Co. Cork. Next to Wiseman's shop.
Entrance Fee:	€5
Opening Hours:	1st March – 31st October , Mon – Sat 9.30am – 7.00pm, Sunday by appointment.
Tel.	00 353 (0)27 61070
Email:	[email protected]
Website:	http://www.carraigabhainngardens.com
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TripAdvisor Reviews	No
Google Maps:	No
Facebook:	Yes

Heron Gallery Café & Gardens

January 4, 2014 by Dunmanus

Heron Gallery showcases the work of Annabel Langrish, as well as a unique and unusual collection of objet d’art, prints and original artwork.

Annabel’s compelling paintings focus on the diversity of the wildlife that surrounds us here on the Sheep’s Head peninsula. Heron gallery’s gardens – designed with an artist’s eye – are a great spot to enjoy the gorgeous, wholesome local food you’ll find in the lovely café.

The café serves Fairtrade organic coffee and teas, delicious scones and cakes, and, in summer, simple, wholesome lunches using locally-sourced organic produce. There is a lovely sunny terrace for those precious sunny days and free Wi-Fi can be accessed both inside and outside.

Heron Gallery Gardens

Our garden is open from April to the end of August. Visitors to the gallery and café are welcome to wander around and, if we get advance notice, we can prepare a slow food picnic that you can bring with you.

The organic gardens are informal, with colourful flower beds radiating out from a pond and pergola. There is a wildlife pond and walk around a large pond surrounded by wildflower meadow and young woodland.

We have planted an orchard of Irish heritage apples and you can see our 2 polytunnels and raised vegetable beds. We try to grow all the salads and vegetables we use in the café.

A path takes you up to the natural ridge area where there is a great view down Dunmanus Bay.

All visitors’ donations go towards our garden project which is to construct Ireland’s first barefoot path. Slowly, we are developing our idea for a path where you take off your shoes and experience mindful walking and connection with the earth through walking slowly with bare feet on different surfaces.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Children must be accompanied.

While the Heron Gallery in Ahakista is closed in the winter, you can see and buy Annabel’s work online, and in her Schull, Kinsale and Kenmare stores.

Location:	Ahakista, Co. Cork. Take the right fork in Durrus towards Sheep's Head. After Arundel’s Bar, turn right. We are 300 metres up the hill on the left.
Opening Hours:	The gallery is open throughout the year, seven days a week. The garden is open every day 10.30am to 5.00pm from Easter to end of August.
Tel.	00 353 (0)27 67278
Email:
Website:	http://herongallery.ie
	No
TripAdvisor Reviews	Yes
Special Dietary Requirements:	Coeliac-friendly. Vegetarian options.
Google Maps:	No
Facebook:	Yes