The Southwest

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. Thanks to its accomplished chefs and the bounty of farms, fields, lakes, and coast, County Cork has become a little paradise of fresh, rustic Irish cuisine. You can also find a mild climate, Irish-speaking areas, and Ireland's second- and third-largest cities—Cork and Limerick. But the most notable attractions are the miles and miles of pretty country lanes meandering through rich but sparsely populated farmland. To be in a hurry here is to be ill-mannered. It was probably a Kerryman who first remarked that when God made time, he made plenty of it. More »

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

Places to Explore

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

Photo: Marco Regalia/Shutterstock

Get Advice From Other Travelers

Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip

Travel News

more »



Get the Fodor's Newsletter

For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Read the current issue. Browse previous issues.




Copyright © 2009 Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, Inc.