We'll be driving around the southwest of Ireland for about 3 days in August. We've been to Killarney, Ring of Kerry and Dingle many years ago - absolutely loved it, dream of going back. But we've never been to West Cork. Some people have suggested we go there - they like it better than Kerry and Dingle. Should we go back to what we know we love... or should we take a chance and see something new? Is West Cork really nicer that Kerry & Dingle??

We have gone to west cork perhaps 10 times.... Perfect, and fewer tourists.

We stay in the little village of Courtmacsherry.

A slice of heaven.

It's amazing how many people Rave about Dingle and Invaragh,,including people who have just heard how good they are. So if you want to go to Dingle fine, see a solitary Dolphin eat Iceream made by an American drink beer brewed by another and sit in a bar listening to musicians brought in for the summer. Me I'll skip all that and cross the Heally pass on Beara into west Cork (and that doesn't include Kinsale)

Have an adventure see somewhere new, get photo's your neighbours and everyone else on the flight don't have. Beara, Sheeps Head, Mizen Head are Ireland as Ireland was 30 years ago.

Another vote for west Cork here.
We toured the area for a few days, staying at a B&B first, then at Caseys of Baltimore, in Baltimore. That was a lovely place to stay, with live music one evening too.

West Cork gets my vote, too.

I was just in west Cork at the end of June, first time to Ireland so haven't been to Dingle or Kerry to compare. I wanted somewhere that wasn't so popular as Dingle and some other places seemed to be when I was researching. By popular I mean with other tourists from outside of Ireland. We were in Dublin first and every Irish person we spoke to went into raptures when we said where we were going next.

Well we fell in love with west Cork, how gorgeous! (We loved Dublin as well). We stayed in Skibbereen and did some little day trips. We had a fantastic night listening to trad music in Ballydehob.
As well as being physically beautiful there just seemed to be a lovely sense of community there. The trip to Ireland was too short but I will go back and spend longer next time.

So I vote for west Cork too!

Thank you all so much. We're definitely leaning towards West Cork rather than Killarney. We appreciate all your advice!