Dunlough Castle © Stefanovalerigm | Dreamstime
Encompassing the city and counties of Cork and Kerry, southwest Ireland is a region renowned for its charming villages, ancient historic landmarks and stunning natural beauty. Here are some of the region's top experiences, and check out our November issue for more on how to explore the region with friends and family.

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The second-largest city in the Republic, Cork is known for its history, food and iconic pub scene. Enjoy fresh finds at the renowned English Market; tour the historic Cork City Gaol, opened in 1824; enjoy a traditional Irish dance and music production by Pulses of Tradition; and grab a pint at The Franciscan Well Brewery or several craft breweries recently entering the local beer scene.

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Founded by Christian monks in the 6th century, the Skellig islands are jagged outcrops of rocks, the most notable is Skellig Michael, part of the set of the newly rebooted Star Wars movie. Visitors to the sea-ravished formation, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, will find the remains of the original habitants’ homes, gardens and cisterns.

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The charming historic port and fishing town of Kinsale is a popular destination for locals and tourists, brimming with quaint shops, seafood restaurants and cozy pubs. Two impressive 17th-century fortresses overlook the town, and the 16th-century courthouse is home to an impressive regional museum with displays on local history and the 1915 sinking of the RMS Lusitania.

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Straddling the border of Cork and Kerry, the Beara Peninsula is the quieter sibling to the famous Ring of Kerry, offering a relaxing escape from the city, stunning natural landscapes, quaint towns and welcoming communities. In addition to the stunning coastal driving routes, notable attractions include the ruins of Dunboy Castle, Puxley Mansion and Beara Way.

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Boasting more than 25,000 acres of lakes, mountains, forests and castle ruins, Killarney National Park is one of the most impressive examples of Ireland’s natural beauty. The park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1982, home to a wide array of wildlife, flora and fauna, some unique to the region.

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Bound by the Atlantic and Galway Bay, the striking Burren is a unique karst landscape sprawling more than 61,000 acres. Encircled by several quaint villages, the geographic phenomenon is composed of limestone with deep, crisscrossing cracks, supporting Arctic, Mediterranean and Alpine flora and fauna due to its unusual composition. The area is also home to more than 90 megalithic tombs and a number of ancient ring forts dating to the late Neolithic era.

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Known as Titanic’s last port of call before sinking in 1912 and the emigration port for more than 6 million people 1848–1950, Cobh is an important seaside town with a rich history. The Cobh Heritage Centre offers a look into Irish life in the 18th and 19th centuries, including the mass emigration and Great Famine, and the town brims with restaurants, cafés, galleries and pubs, frequented by tourists and locals alike.