After 3 previous visits to Ireland, I recently traveled to South West Ireland, which is perfect for an adventurous road trip. Ireland is the country of Celtic folk music, legends, Guinness beer, impressive nature and exceptionally friendly people. During my last visits I fell in love with Dublin, Belfast and the northern part of the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way, but the South West has shown me another totally different side of the country; colorful villages, great restaurants, comfortable hotels and enchanting landscapes. These are the best things to do in South West Ireland!

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The view at Lauragh – Beara Peninsula | The best things to do in South West Ireland

Kinsale
After picking up our rental car at the airport, we depart, still driving somewhat uncomfortably on the left side of the road, to our first stop: the small village of Kinsale. Known as the “gourmet capital” of Ireland, this colorful harbor town on the South coast is bursting with great restaurants, patisseries and wine bars. You’ll also find many galleries and concept stores in the atmospheric, narrow streets. For a good cup of coffee, head to The Collector, O’Herlihys, The Flying Poet Aviation Café, Wild and Tame or Lemon Leaf Café. Pop into the extremely photogenic Stone Mad store! At this concept store you’ll find beautiful jewelry, clothing, cards and decorations for your home. Enter at your own risk! Other great shops are Rain and Seafern.

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Shop at Stone Mad in Kinsale | The best things to do in South West Ireland

When your stomach starts growling, it’s time to find a seat at Bia restaurant, Cosy Café, The Blue Haven Restaurant, OHK Café, The Black Pig, Max’s Seafood or Fishy Fish restaurant. At the Gourmet Pantry Artisan Deli Store you’ll find the most delicious delicacies. Koko Kinsale is heaven for chocoholics. If you can’t choose, book a food tour at Kinsale Food Tours! That way you visit a lot of great foodie hotspots in half a day. Just make sure you have a hearty appetite before you leave….

So many cute shops and coffee spots in Kinsale | The best things to do in South  West Ireland

The Beara Peninsula
With overly satisfied stomachs, we drive on to the Parknasilla Resort. This historic hotel is located on the Ring of Kerry and is perfectly located  for the Wild Atlantic Way: one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world! The hotel has a spa, an indoor and outdoor pool and a fantastic restaurant. In the past, many royals, artists and writers came here for inspiration, and you will completely understand that when you arrive. The 500-acre 1692 estate has a jaw-dropping view of the Kerry Mountains and Kenmare Bay. What a beautiful place! There are many great activities you can book at the hotel, like horseback riding and kayaking. You’ll totally unwind here.

ROOMS & RATES AT PARKNASILLA RESORT

The comfortable Parknasilla Resort and the view at the impressive Healy Pass – Beara Peninsula | South West Ireland

We explore the Beara Peninsula and drive to Lauragh. Along the way, the impressive nature surprises us with every turn we take. These landscapes! It gets prettier and prettier as we drive on to the Healy Pass: countless waterfalls, babbling brooks and slumbering valleys… The roads are sometimes narrow, but there are swerve lanes for oncoming traffic. Although you will encounter few other cars and more slowly crossing sheep. The weather can change quickly. Sometimes you drive in dense fog and within two minutes the sun is shining again! When in fog, wait at a viewpoint for five minutes and you will see that the weather suddenly clears up.

The Maritime Hotel in Bantry | The best things to do in South West Ireland

We spend the night at The Maritime Hotel in Bantry. This comfortable and affordable hotel has a swimming pool, lovely beds and an excellent restaurant. In Bantry, visit the historic Bantry House. This stately estate is somewhat dilapidated but still very photogenic and has a beautiful garden. There is a “tearoom” and you can also stay overnight.

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Cork and the colorful entrance to the English Market | The best things to do in South West Ireland

Cork
The last stop on our road trip is the city of Cork: the second largest city in Ireland. Cork is located on an island in the middle of the River Lee. Although the city is less photogenic than Belfast or Dublin, you will find many lively markets, unique cathedrals, nice coffee shops and fantastic restaurants. Book your stay at the beautiful The Montenotte Hotel, with a great cocktail bar: The Glasshouse! The hotel also has a large gym. Quite nice after all the culinary pampering… Visit the English Market for treats and the Marina Market with all sorts of food trucks. Get your caffeine shot at Three Fools Coffee, SOMA Coffee Company and Some Dose Coffee Turners Cross.

ROOMS & RATES THE MONTENOTTE HOTEL

The Montenotte Hotel and the beautiful university in Cork | The best things to do in South West Ireland

The Cork City Goal is the former prison and is well worth a visit. You will go back in time for a while here. Kids will love it here too! The university is also very beautiful. It looks like a Harry Potter movie set! Dine at Elbow Lane: our favorite restaurant of the entire trip. Afterwards go to Arthur Mayne’s Pharmacy for a delicious “after dinner cocktail” and dance the night away next door at Crane Lane. The day after our visit we woke up feeling remarkably less shiny; we had a little too much fun… Other great bars include Paladar, The Shelbourne Bar, Sin é, Moody Cafe Vin Bar and Cask. Recommended restaurants are Sonflour, Market Lane, Goldie and Good Day Deli.

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Cork City Goal and the English Market

The little town of Cobh
From Cork you can go on great day trips. We drove to the town of Cobh, where the Titanic set sail, a girl named Anne Bonny decided to become a Caribbean pirate, and another Annie, Annie Moore, began a long voyage in 1892 as a 17-year-old, becoming the first emigrant to Ellis Island (New York). It was once named one of the most beautiful towns in Europe by Condé Nast Traveler.

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Towering high above the city is St. Colman’s Cathedral. It can be quite a climb in the narrow, colorful streets. Visit the Titanic Experience in the White Star Line’s original ticket office and learn all about the 123 passengers who boarded the “ship of dreams” in 1912. At the time, the town was called Queenstown. For a delicious lunch, go to Seasalt Café.

The colorful little town of Cobh | beautiful cities

From Cobh, you can visit Spike Island, also known as the Alcatraz of Ireland. A visit to this place, once known as the “Irish hell,” is now a very enjoyable day trip. You get there by ferry.

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Cobh is a must visit! | highlights

Another fun day trip from Cork is Blarney Castle. In the middle of the fairy-tale castle is the Blarney Stone. This magical stone is kissed (ieuw) by many world leaders, writers and movie stars because it is said to give “the gift of gab”; it makes you highly eloquent. Would you like to exchange some bacilli with, say, Obama by kissing the stone: you can, just join the queue and enjoy a beautiful view of the enchanted garden in the meantime. There is also a “poison garden” so you better keep your lips to yourself over there….

• Find the best rental car at Sunny Cars.
• Check out Booking.com for the best hotels in Ireland.
• The best tours and experiences you will find at Getyourguide.

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