The Southwest Travel Guide

Photo: Marco Regalia/shutterstock

Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Clare—these Southwest Ireland county names have an undeniable 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.

Hotels

The Southwest Hotels

For accommodations, the Southwest has some of the great country houses, including Adare Manor in County Limerick; Kenmare's unique duo of the magnificent...read more

Restaurants

The Southwest Restaurants

The Southwest can almost be described as one big culinary hot spot. Kenmare, Dingle, and Killarney all have a high density of restaurants and gastro-pubs...read more

Fodor's Choice

Things To Do

Things To Do in The Southwest

Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.

Hotels

The Southwest Experiences

  • Top Reasons to Go

    The Ring of Kerry: The most brazenly scenic coastal drive in Ireland might have been designed with the visitor in mind—get ready to use... Read more

  • Dingle by Any Other Name

    Residents of Dingle, especially those involved in the tourist business, are fighting a battle with the government for the right to continue to... Read more

  • The Silence Strikes You at Once

    The Great Blasket, which measures roughly 3 km by 1 km (2 mi by ½ mi), has no traffic, no pub, no hotel, and no electricity. Yet this... Read more

  • What to Bring Home

    You will soon notice that parts of County Kerry have more sheep than people: sheep means wool, and in this part of Ireland wool means sweaters... Read more

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