Skip touristy Blarney Castle! Go to the gorgeous villages of West Cork and its remote islands to see the real Ireland. Local tips on Kinsale, Baltimore and other coastal gems.
Cork
I'm just back from my summer holidays in Cork and more specifically, West Cork. This is an absolutely gorgeous part of Ireland. Irish people know all about it but North American visitors don't. 80% of them follow the crowded trail from Blarney to Killarney and miss
Cork
While National Geographic just named Cork one of their 25 places to visit in 2025 (alongside LA and Abu Dhabi). That's not news to the locals who know it's always been class. These lists come and go, but Cork's charm is constant. Cork is
Cork
Cobh might look like just another pretty port town, but this harbor has seen more drama than The Crown, from Titanic tears to prison fears, singing donkeys and grateful bisons. This post may have affiliate links. If you buy something, we may earn a commission. More. Cobh. The Titanic'
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Kinsale Kinsale is a colorful coastal town that is the food capital of Ireland. The small town's many restaurants get their fish straight off the boats on the pier. It is a bit touristy these days, but sometimes it's ok to just want to wander small
Cork
Why Cork? Cork gets overlooked in favor of Kerry by many visitors. Kerry J'Adore, but Cork has all of Kerry's beauty and food that might just nudge Kerrygold into second place. Even the strong Cork accent grows on you, like. Cork natives say that Cork is
Cork
The Mizen Peninsula packs so much into its small space. It's a fantastic day drive where you see tiny villages, beaches, cliffs to rival the famous ones and much less tourists. You'll hear way more Irish accents than overseas ones today. Follow locals, we know the
Cork
Now we come to my favorite drive in all of Ireland, The Ring of Beara. It's wilder and much less travelled than its famous neighbor, the Ring Of Kerry, but it just as spectacular. The roads are too narrow for the tour buses that clog the Ring of
Cork
Baltimore is a pirate ravaged, festival filled gateway to the some of the most remote inhabited islands in Ireland. And along the way, you'll pass the small character filled villages of West Cork. It's a relaxing day with more sailing than driving and the beauty of
Cork
Ireland's southwestern coast has a series of jagged peninsulas sticking out, like they are all vying to be the most westerly point in Europe. Each peninsula has a scenic drive that is on every visitor's must-do list for Ireland. The Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Slea
Cork
Why I Like Bantry Bantry is pure Cork. It has just the right balance of being a real working town and not a tourist town (like Killarney). You'll get a true feeling for what it might be like to live in Ireland after your few days here. If
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Why Come To West Cork? Simple. It's the most beautiful part of all of Ireland for me. That's why I'm dedicating a guide all of its own, not just including it in the Cork guide. West Cork makes a mockery of those who come