Castles · Tour
Timed to Your Ship's Sailing, and the Largest Carillon in Europe
A shore excursion from Cobh that takes in Blarney Castle, Cork city and Kinsale, and the whole day is built backwards from your ship: the bus starts and finishes at the quayside, and the timings are set to your docking and sailing hours. What the day includes: admission to Blarney Castle and its gardens; time at Blarney Woollen Mills; a driving tour of Cork; free time in Kinsale for lunch and for walking; the option of a free walking tour there; and a stop at St Colman's Cathedral. The day runs up to 8 hours, adjusted to the ship. The operator is based in Cobh and has been doing this for more than 50 years. The driver-guides are local, and the commentary comes with the songs and the jokes as well as the history.
What's included
- Live commentary on board from local experienced guides
- Storage for wheelchairs, scooters, etc
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Option of Free Walking Tour in Kinsale
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- Admission To Blarney Castle & Gardens
- Pick up from your ship and return to same
Itinerary
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Blarney Castle & Gardens
Here you can kiss the Blarney Stone, walk the 15th-century castle and see the gardens. Admission to the castle and gardens is in the tour price. The stop at Blarney runs up to 2 hours in total, depending on your ship's schedule, and that includes the time at the Woollen Mills.
Blarney Woollen Mills
Blarney Woollen Mills, the largest Irish store in the world: shopping, coffee and a scone, or an Irish coffee. There is free wi-fi. The time here comes out of the same two hours as the castle and gardens.
The English Market
A driving tour of Cork, past the English Market, the Shandon Bells and Murphy's Brewery, with the history of the rebel city: the Vikings, the Anglo-Norman invasion, and on to the founding of the state.
Kinsale
Kinsale, and the winding streets of it, with plenty of restaurants for lunch and somewhere to try a local drink. On the walk you pass the 12th-century St Multose Church, Desmond Castle and the International Museum of Wine, the Giant's House and Market Square. Up to 2 hours here, depending on your ship's sailing time.
Kinsale
In Kinsale you can join the operator's 30-minute walking tour of the village, at no extra charge.
St Colman’s Cathedral
A short stop at St Colman's Cathedral, which has the largest carillon of bells in Europe. The harbour is below you, and the talk here covers the Titanic, the emigration that emptied this coast, and the maritime history of the port.
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
Good to know
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
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- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Front seats can be reserved if you have mobility issues (let us know after you book)
- Good agility is required for the famous Blarney stone which has lots of challenging steps up to it
- Our tours are for ships that dock in Cobh/Cork
- Live commentary is while on the bus only - Blarney Castle is a self guided tour.
- Kissing the Blarney Stone requires good agility
- Up to 15 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: en.
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