Best of the South-West – 5-day Tour from Cork
Some of the best touring routes of Ireland are to be found on the peninsulas of the south-west, the Dingle peninsula, The Ring of Kerry and the lesser-known Beara peninsula., each with something different to offer , but all spectacular in their own way.
5 Days
Max 4
€3,715
*Optional add-on of pickup and drop off in Dublin with 2 touring days: €1,270, totalling €4,985
**Additional points of interest can be added as required on the day, subject to other visits being cancelled as the driver-guide is available for 9 hours and the tour is private. For those who like living on the edge, we can return to base via the high mountain pass known as the Conor Pass, which is reminiscent of Mordor country, or not.
Regions: South-West
This tour ensures a balanced mix of scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and free time, all the while with the commentary of an experienced National Tourist guide.
09:00
18:00
Day 1: Cork to Kenmare via Kinsale & Bantry Bay
Depart Cork City, heading south to Kinsale, a historic, maritime town known for its narrow streets and gourmet food scene.
Stop at Timoleague Friary, a 13th-century Franciscan abbey with stunning coastal views.
Visit Drombeg Stone Circle, an enigmatic Bronze Age monument.
Continue to Garinish Island, a subtropical paradise famous for its gardens (boat trip from Glengarriff).
Drive through the Bonane Valley, rich in archaeology and folklore.
Overnight in Kenmare, a picturesque town nestled between the Ring of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula . Famous for its mild sub-tropical climate and excellent restaurants.
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Day 2: Beara Peninsula Adventure
Explore the Beara Peninsula, one of Ireland’s most rugged and scenic regions.
Stop in Castletownbere, Ireland’s largest whitefish port, for a stroll along the harbour and learn about The Doctor’s Sword, a true tale about the extraordinary life of a local man
Drive the spectacular Healy Pass, a twisting mountain route with breathtaking views.
Visit the mystical Uragh Stone Circle, set between lakes and mountains.
• Return to Kenmare for the night.
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Day 3: The Ring of Kerry
Drive the famous Ring of Kerry, a 179km scenic route around the Iveragh Peninsula.
Stop and visit picturesque villages such as Killorglan, Sneem and Waterville.
Stop in Portmagee for a seafood lunch and views of the Skellig Islands.
Continue through Cahersiveen, with its impressive Cathedral (or gin distillery!) and Waterville, Once a hub of world communications and now associated with Charlie Chaplin
Return to Kenmare for the night and enjoy the many excellent restaurants or traditional pubs
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Day 4: Kenmare to Dingle & Slea Head
Travel north to the Dingle Peninsula, stopping in Inch Beach for a photo opportunity.
Follow the Slea Head Drive, one of Ireland’s most scenic coastal routes, with stops overlooking Coomeenole Beach and Clogher, both film locations
Visit the Blasket Island Centre, learning about the unique history of the Blasket Islanders.
Visit Gallarus Oratory, a perfectly preserved dry-stone church on the Dingle Peninsula, dates back to the early medieval period and resembles an upturned boat, showcasing Ireland’s ancient building techniques.
Explore Dingle Town, a fishing port, known for its lively atmosphere, craft shops, seafood, and traditional pubs and shopfronts.
Return to Kenmare for the night via the Connor Pass*
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Day 5: Kenmare to Cork via Bantry & Gougane Barra
Depart Kenmare and visit Bantry House, a stately home with stunning gardens overlooking Bantry Bay.
Stop at Carriganass Castle, a 16th-century stronghold associated with the O’Sullivan Beare clan.
Visit Gougane Barra, a remote glacial valley with a famous lakeside chapel, once a church founded by the early Christian, St. Fin barr
Explore Kilrea Friary, a hauntingly beautiful medieval ruin.
End the tour in Cork City, with a final stop at UCC’s Stone Corridor, showcasing ancient ogham stones, before being dropped off at your hotel
What’s Included
✅ Professional, qualified National Tourist Guide, approved as a driver-guide by the NTA.
✅ Transportation for up to 4 people in a high spec, NTA approved limousine
✅ Complimentary water
✅ All tolls, parking fees,
Not Included
❌ Lunch, snacks, drinks, tips or gratuities
❌ Flights, accommodation, visitor attractions
❌ Visitor attraction entrance fees, where applicable
Highlights of the South West of Ireland
The Ring of Kerry is the Grand Dame of Touring Routes in Ireland and has a combination of coastal route, lush sub-tropical indigenous forest, mountainous areas with boglands
Highlights included the Killarney National Park with its lakes, mountains, waterfalls, castles, cashels and majestic views. It’s no wonder that the first speaking movies filmed outdoors were filmed here in the early 20thCentury.
The Dingle Peninsula, located in County Kerry, Ireland, is one of the most breathtaking regions in the country. Known for its mountainous landscapes, charming villages, and rich history, it this region boasts one of the highest concentrations of historic monuments in the world. From the exhilarating Conor Pass to the magical and mystical Slea Head, the most westerly point in Ireland, it offers a range of highlights for visitors
The Beara peninsula straddles both counties, Cork and Kerry and is less travelled than its neighbour, the Ring of Kerry, but no less spectacular. Perfectly suited for small groups, it’s rare to meet a coach, its colourful villages, artist studios and gardens are just waiting to be explored.
Tour Highlights
- Drombeg Stone Circle
- Garnish Island
- Killarney National Park
- Muckross House and Gardens
- Torc Waterfall
- Gallarus Oratory
- Slea Head
- The Connor Pass
- Gougane Barra
- Stone Corridor, UCC, Cork
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Queen Victoria established this route and put Killarney on the map, in 1861. Tourists have been enjoying its beauty ever since"