Ireland South

Why Should You See Ireland South

Ireland South is a must to experience Quintessential Ireland — heart-pounding mountain roads, dramatic cliff and coastal views, golden crescent beaches, exotic gardens and lots of walking options. This route is covered in 5 posts and needs 5 days. It is an ideal choice for short trips.  We spent 7 days, as we allowed extra days in case of rain, but we had solid sunshine. This was one of our favourite itineraries.

Author & Photographer: George Mitchell

Our recommendations are not influenced by affiliate links – we do not have any. Our advice is derived from our personal experience and knowledge based on living in Europe for seven years and studying its art, architecture and culture.

All of our recommendations are top-rated by Google Maps Ratings, which is based on everyone, not just tourists. Each place recommended in our post and custom Ireland East & South Map is appended with a Google Maps Rating (G0 to G5).

Ireland South Itinerary

A synopsis of the itinerary is provided first. Then there are links to the detailed itinerary guides.

Healy Pass

Kinsale to Healy Pass 114 km, 1:55 hrs.
Bantry to Healy Pass 43 km, 0:46 hrs.
Healy Pass to Kenmare 30 km, 0:37 hrs

Healy Pass (G4.9) is so spectacular that it could be rated 6 stars. It offers views of mountains, lakes, meadows, and a very dramatic switchback road.

Ring of Kerry

Kenmare to Derrynane Beach 51 km, 0:57 hrs.
Derrynane to Geokaun Mountain 47 km, 1:11 hrs.
Geokaun Mountain to Kenmare 88 km, 1:36 hrs.

The Ring of Kerry (G4.6) offers coastal views of sandy beaches, offshore islands, emerald pastures, rugged cliffs, and spectacular panoramas. Ignore the negative comments about too many tourists. If you do not want crowds, do NOT go in July and August and do NOT go to Killarney. The Real Ring of Kerry is along the coast and is definitely worth going to.   The Real Ring of Kerry goes to Derrynane Beach (G4.8), the Cliffs of Kerry (G4.8), and Geokaun Mountain viewpoint (G4.8). These must-sees will be missed if you blindly follow the inland Ring of Kerry route.

Killarney

Kenmare to Killarney 35 km, 0:47 hrs.

Killarney offers distant views, Torc Waterfall (G4.6) walk, Muckross Abbey (G4.8), castle ruins, and Victorian mansions. Muckross House (G4.8) had spectacular rhododendron gardens in May.

Killarney NP is very nice, but it is not unique in the world, and the views are not spectacular. Killarney is pleasant but overrated: If you do not want “they paved Paradise and put up a parking lot”, then do NOT go to the town of Killarney. We slept in the really nice village of Kenmare as our base.

Garinish Island

Kenmare to Garnish Island 29 km, 0:31 hrs.

Garinish Island (G4.7) is magical: it offers gardens, exotic plants, and an OPW Victorian house tour. If you get on the first ferry trip, you have the island to yourself for one hour — at least in May. There were not that many flowers; it’s more for the grounds and especially Bryce House (G4.7).

Dingle

Kenmare to Dingle 96 km, 1:49 hrs.
Killarney to Dingle 64 km, 1:05 hrs.

Slea Head Drive (G4.8) near Dingle is so spectacular, it could be rated 6 stars. Unlike the Ring Roads, this is a true coastal road that literally goes along mountain sides with spectacular views, amazing beaches and easy walks at Dunquin Harbour (G4.9) and Clogher Head (G4.9). It ends at the amazing 7th-century Gallarus Oratory (G4.4). If it’s sunny, do Conor Pass (G4.8) as well. The next day could be rainy — it was for us! This was such a full day, we did not even have that much time to explore the really nice town of Dingle (so that would need another day).

Detailed Itinerary Guides

Here are our detailed day-by-day itineraries.

Final Comments on this Itinerary

This is an action-packed itinerary. Most newbie tourists head to sites they have heard about, or what I call name recognition. The places we recommend are all highly rated by local people, as shown by the high Google Map Ratings. Remember, the most important “destination” is meeting the people.

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Itinerary Map & Resources

Ireland East & South Map

You may want a couple of days before and after this itinerary for the Rock of Cashel, Dublin, and/or Trim. Trim is an excellent base to use to reach Dublin Airport.

If you have more than a week, then combine Ireland South with all or parts of the Ireland East and/or Ireland West itinerary below.

Google Maps Ratings

Google Maps provides a rating from 0 to 5 for all sights, hotels and restaurants (but not cities). All of our recommendations are appended with the rating (prefixed with a G) from Google Maps. As it is based on feedback from tourists and locals, it is much more reliable than travel booking websites. We consider a score of 4 to 4.39 to be Very Good; 4.4 to 5 to be Excellent.

Ireland FAQ

The Ireland FAQ post answers Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) like:

• Where should I go in Ireland?
• What is the best season for travel?
• What is the best clothing?
• Where should I go? What are the must-sees?
• How much time do I need for Ireland?
• Can I see everything in a week?
• How safe is Ireland?
• How much cash should you take to Ireland?
• Should I pay in Euros or my own currency? 
• What apps are useful for travel?
• Should I rent a car? Take a Taxi?

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