About
Garnish Island
About
Island of Holly
Garnish island is a 15 Hector island located at Glengarriff harbour, Bantry Bay. The Island originally known as Ilnacullin (meaning “Island of Holly”) started it’s great Evolution in 1910 from an Island occupied only by the Martello tower surrounded by overgrown Heather and Firs, to the now illustrious gardens we know today.
The island was bought from the war office by John Annan Bryce, who was a Scottish businessman, and his wife Violet L’Estrange. Annan Bryce developed the gardens alongside Harold Peto, architect and the garden designer. Once they began, it took around four years to lay soil and create the paths and planting of the beautiful Italian garden. At this time there was also an Italian teahouse (Casita), a formal pool, and Italian pavilion that features columns of “Rosso Antico” and a Grecian Temple built. This also includes the extensive cottage that was home to the Bryce family. In 1923 Annan Bryce passed away and the work was carried on by his widow violet and some time later in 1932 was taken over by their son Roland Bryce.
Roland Bryce continued to work on the gardens assisted by Murdo McKenzie, A Scottish Gardner, who restored many of the plants that were damaged by bad weather or suffering from the poor climate. McKenzie also planted the shelter belts of Pine Trees which has helped in protecting the gardens and aiding in the ability for exotic plants to thrive. After the passing of Roland Bryce in 1953 the island was bequeathed to the state, However Murdo Mckenzie remained in charge until his retirement in 1971. Today, the island is in the hands of the Office of Public Works.
About
Martello Tower
The garnish Island Martello tower, situated on Garnish Island (Ilnacullin) is one of 45 towers built around the Irish coastline. The Martello towers were built in the 19th century by the British Empire during the time of the French Revolution, as defence structures, fearing that Ireland would be subject to threat of the French invasion. The Garnish Island Martello Tower was built around 1805 and was located at the highest point of the island, so it would have clear views of Bantry Bay and Whiddy Island. The tower was usually occupied by one Officer and fifteen to twenty five men watching out over the bay. The design of the towers are based on round defence towers that were built in Corsica in the 16th century. The towers stand up to 12m high, with thick round walls making them resistant to cannon fire. The towers have flat roofs so that they could be mounted with single heavy artillery pieces.
The towers were used in the early half of the 19th century, however, they became obsolete after the introduction of powerful rifle artillery. Today, the Garnish Island Martello Tower is a prominent piece of history framed by the beautiful gardens of Garnish Island.
