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The South West
Includes counties Cork and Kerry.
Kerry is very well equipped to cater for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who flock to see its famed coastline, magnificent mountain drives and many historic sites. Almost all organised tours of Ireland will include Killarney, the Ring of Kerry and Dingle in their itinerary, and rightly so as it is very well worth visiting.
The Lakes of Killarney
The more southerly Baera Peninsula is far less crowded and to my mind an even more dramatic and scenic drive than the more popular ones. It is a perfect 'long way round' for those travelling on to Cork.
West Cork, with its rugged coastline and beautiful countryside is a very popular holiday location for the 'beautiful people' not just of Ireland but of Europe too. Villages like Baltimore, Goleen, Barley Cove, Crookhaven and Ballydehob are not just charming seaside places but packed with interesting craft and art shops.
The no less beautiful East Cork region has historic sites galore and towns and villages like Cobh, Youghal and Kinsale all have much to offer. The area is very popular with sailors, there are several yacht clubs and marinas especially in the eastern part.
The often overlooked inland areas of North and East Cork include some of the richest and most fertile farmland in the country. The many castles and great houses in the area are testimony to its historic importance as a food producing region. This heritage continues and the area is home to some of the best small independent food producers in the country. You will eat well around these parts!
Where to Stay
We have independent reviews of recommended Hotel, Guesthouse, Bed and Breakfast, Hostel and self-catering accommodation in the South Western region, outside of Killarney.
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Getting There
By Air
Kerry Airport has regular flights
from Dublin, London, Manchester and Frankfurt.
To the north
Shannon Airport,
has regular flights from Europe and the USA. To the east,
Cork International Airport has an increasing number of flights from
Europe, especially the UK.
By Sea
There are direct ferries from
Swansea in Wales and
Roscoff in France
to Cork City.
By Train
There
are regular Irish Rail trains from Dublin
to Cork, Killarney and Tralee.
Getting Around
All of the towns are relatively small and easy to tour on foot. Bus Eireann has local routes throughout the region. Realistically though, for touring the South West, it is best to drive.
Things to do
Ballybunion Golf Club (Golf)Tour Itineraries
Articles of Interest
Odd & Unusual Things: Irish Road Bowling
Irish Road Bowling is a sport mainly played in West Cork, although there are small pockets of enthusiasts all over Ireland...
Megalithic Sites: Dolmens or Portal Tombs
Dolmens, properly called Portal Tombs, mark burial places in a very distinctive way, with large capstones elevated at an...
