Sightseeing

Sightseeing in Southwest Ireland (Counties Clare, Cork, Kerry & Limerick)

County Clare

• The Burren Region - This wild area of Ireland is made of a vast limestone plateau in northwest County Clare. There are few trees growing here, yet other plants do very well. From the months of May-August, there are a wide variety of plants which take root in the limestone, adding to the beauty of the stark region. Probably the most visited tourist attraction in the Burren is the Cliffs of Moher. These dramatic cliffs are five miles long and rise to a height of 650 feet out of the sea. The cliffs are also home to several colonies of guillemots and other sea birds. Another attraction of the Burren is the Aillwee Cave, the only cave in the area open to visitors and once the hibernation pit of bears.
• Knappogue Castle, Quin -
  This castle was built in 1467 by the MacNamara clan. It is now owned by Texans who have restored it to its former charm. Medieval banquets are held in the castle during the season.
• Craggaunowen, Kilmurry - The Craggaunowen Project depicts life in Ireland during the Bronze Age and brings Celtic culture to life. People in costume act out such daily activities as spinning, cooking and potting and serve as guides for the project.
• Bunratty Castle and Folk Park - Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century and was the home of the Earls of Thomond. It is one of Ireland’s best restored castles. Surrounding the castle is the Folk Park, a complete village where rural life in Ireland at the turn of the century is recreated. The castle also hosts medieval banquets and traditional Irish music sessions nightly. The complex has several shops offering the best of Irish crafts and the famous Durty Nellie’s Pub, dating back to the 17th century.

County Cork

• Mizen Head - Mizen Head is the most southwesterly tip of Ireland. The steep cliffs here are often lashed by storms and are amazing to see. There is a light house and a visitor center which can be reached by a bridge across a rocky chasm.
• Bantry House - Originally built in 1720, Bantry House has been the home of the White family, formerly earls of Bantry, since 1739. The house has exquisite period furnishings and tapestries. Highlights of the tour are the Rose Room and the Dining Room. Also not be missed are the Rose Garden and Italian Garden. Bantry House has spectacular views overlooking Bantry Bay.
• Blarney Castle - The main attraction of this ruined 15th century castle is the “kissing of the Blarney Stone” which is said to confer magical eloquence on the kisser. Little remains of the actual castle today except for the keep which was built in 1446. The grounds are beautiful and on sight is the Blarney Woolen Mills which sells a great selection of Irish woolens and quality souvenirs.
• Kinsale - Kinsale is one of the oldest towns in Ireland and is known as the “gourmet” capital due to its high selection of good restaurants. It was an important naval base in the 17th and 18th century and is now a popular yachting center. The Battle of Kinsale in 1601, in which the Irish forces and their Spanish allies were defeated, signified the end of the old Gaelic order.
• Charles Fort, Kinsale - This star-shaped fort was built in the 1670’s to protect Kinsale Harbor. It remained in service until 1922 and is one of the finest remaining examples of a star-shaped bastion fort in Europe.
• Cobh (pronounced cove) - Cobh was the port of call for many luxury liners and was the last stop of the Titanic before it sank. The Victorian seafront is lovely with its rows of terraced houses overlooking the harbor. Located at the Cobh Heritage Center is The Queenstown Story, an exhibition that details the part Cobh played in the history of Irish immigration and the transportation of convicts.
• Jameson Heritage Center, Midleton - The Jameson Heritage Center is part of the Midleton distilleries group which comprises a series of separate distilleries each producing a different Irish whiskey. There is an audiovisual presentation and a tour of the old distillery, which ends with a tasting of various Irish whiskeys and scotch.

County Kerry

• Dingle Peninsula - This half-day drive offers some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery, with Brandon Mountain on the North and gorgeous seascapes on the West. Along the way are several Iron Age stone forts, Christian oratories, and beehive huts. Some of these are on private land, so you will need to pay a small fee to the farmer to visit them. Some particular things to see on the drive are the Blasket Center which explains the life of the inhabitants of the Blasket Islands, which were inhabited until 1953; Dunbeg Fort, one of the best preserved promontory forts in Ireland; and Dingle town, a bright town with good restaurants and shops. Much of the Dingle Peninsula is still Gaelic-speaking, so many road signs are written only in Irish.
• Muckross House and Gardens - This Victorian mansion was built in 1843 and is beautifully decorated with period furnishings. The house is surrounded by lovely gardens which are particularly beautiful in the spring when the azaleas and rhododendrons are blooming. The site also includes a Museum of Kerry Life, a craft center with active workshops and the Muckross Farm which is a period working farm.
• Lakes of Killarney - These three lakes – Muckross Lake, Lough Leane, and the Upper Lake – are housed within Killarney National Park and are together one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions. In the Lake area you can visit the Torc Waterfall with its lovely 60 ft drop; Ross Castle, built in 1420; and the Gap of Dunloe, a gorgeous mountain path carved by glaciers which can be traveled by foot, horse, and bicycle.
• Ring of Kerry - You need to save a day for this spectacular 110-mile drive around the Iveragh Peninsula. The scenery is the main attraction of the drive with unbelievable mountain and coastal views. Particular places to stop are Derrynane House, the former home of Daniel O’Connell; Staigue Fort, the best preserved Iron Age stone fort in Ireland; and Moll’ Gap, a location in the highest mountain terrain cutting through bogland which offers fabulous views.

County Limerick

• Adare - This village has been billed as the prettiest town in Ireland with its thatched cottages and neat stonework. It has a large monastic history with the Trinitarian Priory, founded in 1230 and now a Catholic church and convent; the Augustinian Priory founded in 1315; Desmond Castle, a 13th century feudal castle and a 15th century Franciscan Abbey. Adare also has several wonderful shops and restaurants.
• Lough Gur - Located 16 miles south of Limerick, this Stone Age settlement dates to 3000 BC. All around the Lough are burial mounds and megalithic tombs. The most impressive site is the 4000-year-old Great Stone Circle.