The South West is fabulous touring country with a real feeling of space. You will travel through wild countryside with wonderful views, along stunning rugged coastlines with white sandy beaches and see some of the most dramatic parts of the Irish landscape. People come here to experience real peace and remoteness with superb walking and trekking plus a great choice of self-catering holiday cottages.
It’s considered to be an all year round destination, spring and autumn are temperate and can be delightful, summer does tend to attract the crowds and winter can be wonderfully atmospheric. One thing they do say is to expect the unexpected from the weather! All year round the small towns on the coast stay lively with traditional music often to be heard.
In County Cork you can join the locals for a morning stroll along the beach and explore the sandy coves. The county is full of Irish resort towns offering fresh seafood, vast golf courses, and family-friendly beaches. On rainy days you will always find a pub with a turf fire to dry yourself whilst enjoying a pint of Guinness. Cork city is a university city with its centre on an island in the River Lee connected to the sea by Cork Harbour. It’s often referred to as the real capital of Ireland, a vibrant place mixing the old with the new and a compact city centre with spruced Georgian streets and regenerated stretches of waterfront. To the north and south of well-known St Patrick’s street it is packed with pubs, shops, cafes and restaurants, a true foodie’s paradise.
Outdoor lovers should head for County Kerry which is best for mountain climbing and cross-country hiking. The wild landscape appears to change every couple of miles, from tranquil marinas (look out for the local dolphin in Dingle Bay), to lush green farmland, then the jagged peaks of the Macgillicuddy Reeks mountain range. Carrauntoohil is the highest mountain in Ireland with its steep inclines and rocky pathways, it’s a tough climb, but the views at the top make it all worthwhile. There are lovely towns and villages combining traditional Irish charm with a warm Irish welcome. The ‘Ring of Kerry’ and ‘Ring of Beara’ are wonderful days out where you will encounter the famous Wild Atlantic Way. Just come and see South West Ireland for yourself, you will be delighted.
