The Southwest Travel Guide

Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Clare—these Southwest county names have an undeniable Irish lilt. Just as evocative is the scenery in each county: from Kinsale along the coast, west to Mizen Head in the far southwest corner, and on to the glorious mountains and lakes of Killarney, you'll find miles and miles of pretty country lanes meandering through rich but sparsely populated farmland. Everything seems delightfully low-key—that is, until you hit the celebrated Ring of Kerry, which has become a crazy and emerald green Orlando, packed with rushing tour buses. More »

Top Reasons to Go
Getting Oriented
Transportation Basics
Making the Most of Your Time
Picking a Peninsula
What to Bring Home

Places to Explore

Adare
Annascaul
Baile an Fheirtéaigh (Ballyferriter)
Bantry
Blarney
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Cahirciveen
Castletownshend
Ceann Sleibne (Slea Head)
Ceann Trá (Ventry)
Cork City
Cork Harbour
An Daingean (Dingle Town)
Dún Chaoin (Dunquin)
Fermoy
Glenbeigh
Glengarriff
In and Around Killarney
Kenmare
Killorglin
Kinsale
Limerick City
Listowel
Midleton
Shanagarry
The Skelligs
Skibbereen
Sneem
Timoleague
Tralee
Waterville

Photo: Marco Regalia/Shutterstock

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