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When to Go

The best time to visit County Cork is in late spring or summer, as the fall and winter months have the heaviest rainfall.

Getting There

Fly into Shannon Airport and rent a car (the Bantry area is about 100 miles from Shannon). Aer Lingus offers direct flights daily from Boston, Chicago, and New York’s JFK Airport.

Where to Stay

Ballyvolane House

Castlelyons, Fermoy; 353-25/36349; ballyvolanehouse.ie; doubles from $156.

Glengarriff Lodge

Ideal for a family reunion. The Lodge, Glengarriff; 353-27/63833; glengarriff-lodge.com; weekly rates from $2,760.

Maritime Hotel

A clean new hotel overlooking Bantry Bay. The Quay, Bantry; 353-27/54700; themaritime.ie; doubles from $163.

Where to Eat

Ard Bia

This cozy, casual room turns out Galway’s best local food, with global flourishes; house-made ice creams are not to be missed. 2 Quay St., Galway; 353-91/539-897; ardbia.com; lunch for two $37.

Fishy Fishy Café

Pier Rd., Kinsale; 353-21/470-0415; lunch for two $120.

Gleeson’s Restaurant

3 Connolly St., Clonakilty; 353-23/21834; gleesons.ie; dinner for two $120.

Good Things Café

Ahakista Rd., Durrus; 353-27/61426; thegoodthingscafe.com; dinner for two $150.

Moran’s Oyster Cottage

The Weir, Kilcolgan, near Galway; 353-91/796-113; dinner for two $90.

O’Connor’s Seafood Restaurant

Simple, compelling preparations of fish and shellfish from local waters are owner Peter O’Brien’s calling card. Book early. The Square, Bantry; 353-27/50221; dinner for two $118.

Where to Go Out

An Teach Beag

Recorder’s Alley, Clonakilty; 353-23/33883; drinks for two $15.

Ma Murphy’s

Writers from the West Cork Literary Festival soak up local atmosphere at this classic pub. 7 New St., Bantry; 353-27/50242; drinks for two $11.

Paddy Burkes Clarinbridge; 353-91/796-226; drinks for two $12.

Weir Bar

Jurys Cork Hotel, Western Rd., Cork City; 353-21/425-2700; jurysdoyle.com; drinks for two $12.50.

Where to Shop

Edward Twomey Clonakilty Black Pudding Co.

16 Pearse St., Clonakilty; 353-23/34835; clonakiltyblackpudding.ie.

Manning’s Emporium

Ballylickey, Bantry; 353-27/50456.

Michelle Mitton Design Gallery

A collection of works by West Cork ceramicists Sara Flynn and Mary Neeson, whose porcelain lanterns are like miniature Mariko Mori sculptures. 28 Pearse St., Clonakilty; 353-23/35412.

Rory Conner Handcrafted Knives

Ballylickey, Bantry; 353-27/50032; roryconnerknives.com; by appointment.

What to Do

Ballymaloe Cookery School

Shanagarry; 353-21/464-6785; cookingisfun.ie.

Drombeg Stone Circle

Off the R597 between Rosscarbery and Glandore; 353-28/21766.

Loch Hyne

The hike to the top takes a solid half-hour, but the vistas on the way up are worth it if the visibility is good. Off the R595 near Skibbereen.

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