Bantry is the natural base for exploring the south-west corner of Ireland. The two peninsulas immediately west — Beara and Sheep's Head — are the obvious choices, but Glengarriff and the gardens of Garinish Island are an easy half-day trip up the bay, and the Mizen Head to the south is reachable as a long loop. None of these are stop-and-go destinations; you want a full day, decent weather, and a tank of petrol.