The 2019 Festival runs from Saturday 17th August to Sunday 25th August 2019 with workshops, exhibitions, walks, talks, boat trips, and other events linked to botany, botanical art, landscape and letter writing. The full programme is listed in the table below or you can download a handy printable copy of the programme here.
1. Whiddy Island Seaweed Event
Sun 18th August 1pm-4:15pm Whiddy Island
Free event, no booking required.
An exciting chance to discover the seaweeds along Whiddy Island’s shore with Dr Susan Steele (SFPA) and try preserving seaweed specimens 1800s style. Learn about the impressive and fascinating array of seashore life of Bantry Bay from the enthusiastic and knowledgeable Dr Susan Steele. No dogs allowed. Ferries leave Bantry’s Main Pier at 1pm, returning at 4:15pm €6.50 return.
2. Guided Nature Walk on Whiddy Island
Thurs 22nd August 12pm-3pm Whiddy Island
Free event, no booking required.
Join Clare Heardman (NPWS), for a 3km loop walk and learn about Whiddy Island’s wildflowers, following in the footsteps of Ireland’s first female botanist 200 years ago. The terrain is fairly gentle but walking boots are advisable. Sorry, no dogs allowed. Ferry leaves Bantry’s Main Pier at 11:30am and returns at 15:45pm. €6.50 return.
3. Bantry Bay Boat Trip and Maritime History
Thurs 22nd August 10am-11:30am Bantry Bay
€15pp Advance booking required: Boat Trip Booking
A tour of Bantry Bay with Bantry Bay Boat Hire. Join a small flotilla of motor boats and learn about the maritime history of the bay with local guide Paul O’Donoghue. Weather permitting, this trip will be a special tour around the bay. Just 15 places are available so this will be an exclusive experience. Self-driven trips are also available all week via Bantry Bay Boat Hire. Note: there is the option of disembarking on Whiddy Island if you wish to join the afternoon’s Nature Walk.