Day 3 - Gougane Barra to Aahakista 30 miles (47 km)
Enjoy the sweeping descent with a vista over the creeks, islands and inlets of Glengarrif and the vastness of Bantry Bay with the Sheeps Head Peninsula. On a fine day in Glengarrif, you will see on the azure-blue, motionless water in the islet-dotted creeks, boats like statues frozen to their moorings. If you are a garden lover, then make time for Ilnacullin, the 15-hectare garden on Garnish Island. This is reached by boat from the harbour and you may enjoy the antics of playful seals on the way. Ilnacullin is an exotic formal garden. Particularly enchanting is an ornate Italiante garden with lily-pond and fairytale pavilions. The island, barren until the early 18th century, was landscaped by Harold Peto. The last sight, as you drive to the head of Bantry Bay, are the Falls of Donermarc, which do not seem so spectacular after what you have already seen.
You can head south to the town of Bantry for lunch. Bantry is a busy market town and seaport at the mouth of Bantry Bay, with a fine raised plaza in its main square, where one may relax before heading for the Beara Peninsula. On the way out, one may again appreciate the rocky ruggedness and view the islands in the bay, including Whiddy and Bere Island, both served by ferries and Dursey, which has a rather unique cable car service.
In the afternoon head out onto the Sheeps Head Peninsula where accommodation for overnight is in Ahakista.