Things to do in  South West Ireland

Covering an area of more than 115 square miles (300 square kilometers), the Burren is a vast, otherworldly expanse of scarred and fissured limestone rock, naturally sculpted through acidic erosion. Though it may look barren from afar, this rocky plateau is anything but lifeless. In spring and summer, wildflowers and rare plants thrive here.

The fifth-century home of the kings of Munster, the Rock of Cashel—or St. Patrick’s Rock, as it’s also known—is now home to a collection of religious monuments, including a roofless medieval cathedral and a 12th-century chapel. Set atop an elevated knoll, the site commands excellent views over the green, grassy Irish countryside.

Killarney National Park, with idyllic lakes and ancient woodlands backed by the serrated MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains, is an area of stunning natural beauty. The 24,710-acre (10,000-hectare) park is also historically significant, with two heritage buildings in situ: Ross Castle, a 15th-century fortress that’s also available for group bookings, and Muckross House, a stately Victorian estate.

The Blarney Castle and Gardens is most famous as the home of the Blarney Stone. Legend states that if you kiss the stone, you will never be at a loss for words. While people travel from all over the world to kiss the mystical stone (which involves hanging upside down from the castle’s tower), this 600-year-old fortress is also a draw for its lovely gardens and ancient stone formations called Rock Close.

Dating from 1788, The English Market is among Ireland’s finest foodie destinations. Set inside a Victorian heritage building with a vaulted ceiling, the market is filled with vendors selling the finest and freshest of local produce, from grass-fed beef and smoked salmon to homemade jam, duck eggs, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Set on the banks of the River Ratty, this imposing 15th-century castle has been immaculately restored and is filled with period furnishings. The estate encompasses a re-created 19th-century village where visitors can explore typical rural dwellings and businesses, as well as observing demonstrations of traditional jobs and crafts.

At the Midleton Distillery Experience (formerly the Jameson Distillery Midleton), travelers can enjoy the Jameson Experience Tour—this includes a look into the distillery in East Cork, where the well-known whiskey was produced until the 1970s. In the company of a guide, visitors explore the preserved distillery interior, and view old kilns, mills, and distilling equipment, as well as a restored 19th-century warehouse.

A vision on the shores of Lough Leane, the 15th-century Ross Castle was built as a medieval fortress for an Irish chieftain named O’Donoghue, and was said to be one of the last strongholds to fall to the brutal English Cromwellian forces in the mid-16th century. The ruin has been restored, and features lovely 16th- and 17th-century furniture.

Experience the natural beauty of County Kerry with a visit to the Torc Waterfall. Located a short walk from the Killarney–Kenmare road, in Killarney National Park, Torc Waterfall is part of the River Owengariff and flows into Muckross (Middle) Lake. The site is a popular spot on the area’s scenic drives and hiking routes.

This scenic lookout takes its name from Queen Victoria and her ladies-in-waiting, who were bowled over by the views when they visited here in 1861. These days, the vista remains as spectacular as back then, with visitors lingering at the lookout to soak up the magnificent lake and peak landscapes of Killarney National Park.

Famously used as a filming location in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the rocky peak of Skellig Michael sits amid the wind-whipped Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of South West Ireland, reaching a height of 712 feet (217 meters). This UNESCO World Heritage Site was a hideaway for hermit monks between the 6th century and the 12th century. The island is no longer inhabited, but you'll find the remnants of the old monastic settlement, including historic beehive huts, scattered across the island.

One of Ireland’s finest stately mansions, the 65-room Muckross House was built for the Herbert family in 1843. Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms sits on the shores of Muckross Lake and is replete with period furnishings and decorative objectives. Three recreated farms on the estate showcase the life of rural dwellers in the 1930s and ’40s.

Visitors flock to the ruined 15th-century Blarney Castle to bend over backwards from the battlements and lay their lips on the famous Blarney Stone (Stone of Eloquence). According to local legend, the stone, which is embedded high in the castle walls, imparts those who kiss it with the “gift of the gab,” making them more eloquent, articulate, and convincing.

Go inside Ireland’s best-preserved early Christian church during a visit to the Gallarus Oratory on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. Many travelers stop at Gallarus Oratory as part of the scenic Slea Head Drive, and a nearby visitor center shows a short presentation about the history and architecture of the landmark.

One of Ireland’s most-photographed ancient sites, the Poulnabrone Dolmen—comprising a long slab of rock placed horizontally on top of several upright slabs—has stood on this lonely limestone plateau for 5,000 years. It marks the site of a mass grave containing the remains of ancient people buried here between 3800 and 3200 BC.