Bed and Breakfasts in South Ireland

Carlow | Cork | Kerry | Kilkenny | Tipperary | Waterford | Wexford

The southern counties of Ireland are probably the most visited in the entire country, since access is made all the easier from Dublin, Shannon and Cork International airports along with Kerry (Farranfore), Rosslare ‘europort’ and Cork Port.

An extensive coastline of sandy beaches and inlets, Ireland’s highest mountains, fertile farmland and miles of rivers are just some of the attractions of the southern region.

Kerry is a truly charming destination, with sublime scenery, friendly locals, picturesque towns and villages, and top class restaurants and pubs.

It boasts Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntouhill, in the country’s highest mountain range, the MacGillicuddy Reeks and it offers outstanding landscapes around the Ring of Kerry, Dingle and Beara Peninsulas, North Kerry Drive and Killarney National Parks.

Visit the Skelligs Experience on nearby Valentia Island (close to Cahirciveen) where you can be enchanted with an audio-visual display of the Skellig Islands, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or experience the magic of the islands first-hand by boat.

Cork is Ireland’s biggest county and has a unique diversity, from the bustling streets of Cork City and the rugged beauty of West Cork, to the tranquillity and enchantment of North Cork and the holiday atmosphere of East Cork.

West Cork has one of the finest landscapes in the country. Visitors flock there in thousands every year and many Irish people have holiday homes there. It is also known as Ireland’s gourmet county, with fresh seafood and excellent local produce and an array of critically acclaimed restaurants.

Waterford has a Viking history dating back over 1200 years. Waterford City is the oldest city in Ireland and today is the fifth largest city in the Republic and is the cultural, economic, educational, technological and industrial capital of the South-East region.

Its port continues to expand along with the growth of the Irish economy but it also has a welcoming countryside and variety of activities to appeal to visitors.

Tipperary, Ireland’s largest inland county, is a major dairy farming area in one of the lushest parts of the mid-west region, with the River Shannon and Lough Derg running along its western edge. The Silvermine Mountains and Devil’s Bit provide spectacular drives and walks while the River Suir, Knockmealdown mountains and the Galtees present a vivid landscape.

Kilkenny is in the heart of rural Ireland, with rich farmlands, sweeping valleys and rolling hills, interspersed by the Barrow, Suir and Nore rivers.

In the centre lies Kilkenny City, one of Ireland’s most elegant and vibrant cities, a centre of cultural, artistic and social activity. It epitomises the county’s medieval past, with landmark buildings prominent in both the city and surrounding countryside.

By contrast, Carlow is Ireland’s second smallest county. Noted for a wide variety of scenery, it is bordered to the east by the Blackstairs Mountains and the fertile land of the Barrow Valley and to the west by the Killeshin Hills.

It’s a charming inland county, ideally located to act as a base to explore the South-East and perhaps even further afield, and Dublin is easily reached by road.

Wexford is an agricultural county in the region affectionately known as the ‘‘Sunny South-East”. It is a magnet for visitors, not least because of fine resorts such as Rosslare Strand, Curracloe, Courtown and Fethard-on-Sea where sandy beaches are a major draw.

It is also Ireland’s gateway to Europe through Rosslare Harbour and is the first experience of Ireland for many overseas visitors.

Absolute Must See

• Blarney Castle, and you just have to Kiss the Blarney Stone, because everyone does!
  Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
• The extensive number of quality blue flag beaches along both the Cork and Kerry coastline
• Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s great landmarks, and Bru Boru, the national cultural centre located there.
• The Irish National Heritage Park at Ferrycarrig which traces Ireland’s history back over the centuries.
• Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre, the number 1 most-visited tourist attraction in the South East Region and an absolute must see for this region.

Did You Know?

• The Irish National Flag – the Tricolour - was first flown in Waterford and created by local man, Thomas Francis Meagher.
• The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) was founded in Thurles in 1883.
• The Christian Brothers’ were founded by Edmund Rice in Waterford.
• D-Day landing scenes in Spielberg’s film “Saving Private Ryan” were filmed on Curracloe beaches.
• The well-known phrase ‘by hook or by crook’ originated from the place names Hook and Crooke when Cromwell vowed that his armies would take Waterford ‘by Hook or by Crooke’ (he never did!!!).