Map of Ireland City Regional Political

Southwest Ireland Map Pictures

Cork City
Cork is Ireland's second, friendliest and best loved city. European Capital of Cuture 2005, Cork offers a wide range of visitor attractions and in the immediate radius of the city are the towns of Blarney (Blarney Castle and the kissing stone), Cobh (a major emigration port and the last departure point of the Titanic) and Kinsale (an historic town famous for the battle that defined modern Irish history).

Cork Golf Club at Little Island is one of Ireland''s oldest golf courses whiole just down the road Fota Island is a relative newcomer. Both are well woth playing. The most spectacular course on Earth, the Old Head Golf Links is just outside the town of Kinsale.

Killarney
60 miles west of Cork is Ireland's travel capital - the town of Killarney. In a splendid setting beside the famous Lakes of Killarney and underneath Ireland's highest mountains, Killarney attracts over 1 million visitors each year.

Although Killarney has two fine golf courses (in an idyllic lakeside setting), the more famous links courses are the principal golfing attraction. Both courses at Ballybunion, Tralee and Waterville are all in the premier league of Irish (and world) golf courses, while Dooks and Dingle are also high ranking links. South of Killarney there is a new parkland course near Kenmare - the Ring of Kerry Golf Club.

Killarney is the universal choice for accommodation on southwestern golf tours of Ireland.

Waterville
On the western edge of the Iveragh peninsula, also known as the Ring of Kerry, lies Waterville village and the superb golf links. Many golf travellers stop here for a night to sample the quiet local atmosphere and it is expecially popular in the week before the British Open when many American professionals warm up here.

Dingle
The peninsula to the north of Iveragh is the Dingle peninsula, another spectacularly scenic part of Ireland. At the far end of the peninsula is the most westerly golf course in Europe, Ceann Sibeal Golf Links (Dingle).

Non-Golf Travel Attractions
The southwest of Ireland is all about its magic scenery. From the beautiful west Cork coastline to the four peninsulas jutting into the sea to the majestic mountains the beauty of the countryside is intoxicating. There are miles of sandy beaches, Glenbeigh and Inch are two of the finest beaches in Europe. Walking and hiking, climbing the mountains and horse or pony trekking are a great way to see it all.

Cork is famous for its Shandon Bells, Murphys Stout and its many fine museums and art galleries. Cobh has a wonderful heritage centre and Blarney has its stone as well as famous woolen mills.

Kinsale is one of Ireland's high-class destinations: cuisine is famous and there are planty of art galleries and craft shops displaying Irish souvenirs. Kinsale is a harbour town and it was here in 1601 that the English army surrounded a Spanish army and were in turn surrounded by an Irish army. As the siege continued it appeared that Ireland misgh have a final victory over her invader, but between them the Spanish and Irish managed to lose the ensuing battle and England's rule over Ireland was complete.

In Killarney the house, gardens and abbey at Muckross are the main attractions and there are several enchanting wlaks in the same area together with the Torc Waterfall. The Gap of Dunloe is also famous - the traditional method of travel is by jaunting car.

In the late 1960's an American film set came to Dingle. The stars were Robert Mitchum and Sarah Mills and Dingle became a tourist destination. In the early 1980's another star came to Dingle - Funghi the dolphin. He swam into the harbour, swam with the locals and has been swimming with visitors ever since. Recent reports are that he is ill. Dingle has many other attractions and is a traditional Irish fishing village.