Ellen Hutchins Heritage Trail

Explore Bantry Bay’s shores, woods & mountains by following a self-guided trail telling the story of Ireland’s first female botanist. Leaflets: Bantry Tourist Office or Library. Audio guide: Abarta Heritage

This heritage trail follows in Ellen’s footsteps visiting many of the places she hunted for plants, as well as her birth & burial sites. At most of the trail stops there are options to explore further by following local walking routes.

Starting in Bantry, it has nine stops with elements of Ellen’s story at each. The audio version has extracts from Ellen’s letters.

The distances involved mean that you need a car to reach all stops and then there are options to take a walk at many of them. Alternatively, use the audio guide from the comfort of a sofa!

See https://ellenhutchins.com/heritage-trail/

Note: if using online or audio versions – download before you go, as phone signal is variable at many stops.

This activity is part of the Ellen Hutchins Festival being held during Heritage Week 2025.