Cobh (Cork) to Blarney Castle & Kinsale - Shore Excursion
Description
Exciting Shore Excursion from Cobh to Blarney Castle, Cork City, Kinsale and Cobh. Bus Tour starts/finishes at your ship and is tailored to suit your docking/sailing times. Our Bus Tour Includes: • Admission To The Famous Blarney Castle & Gardens • Shopping at Blarney Woolen Mills - The Worlds Largest Irish Store • Driving Tour of Unique Cork City • Free Time in Picturesque Kinsale for lunch and exploring • The Option of a Free Walking Tour in Kinsale • A Visit To The Magnificent St. Coleman's Cathedral Up to 8 hours Tour day (Tour times are tailored to work with your docking/sailing times) Our bus tour departs/returns right at your ship in Cobh/Cork We're based in Cobh and have over 50 years experience. Our driver/guides are all locals and have lots of interesting facts, fascinating history, fun stories, songs and jokes.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Here you will have the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, explore the 15th century castle and discover the magnificent gardens. Admission to the castle and gardens is included in your tour price. Our visit to Blarney will be up to 2 hours in total depending on your ships docking/sailing schedule. Shopping time at Blarney Woolen Mills is included in your 2 hour visit to Blarney
Take time out to shop at the Worlds largest Irish Store, Indulge in a coffee and delicious scone or even sip on a sumptuous Irish Coffee. Please note that your 2 hour visit to Blarney includes time to visit the Castle, Gardens and Woolen Mills. Avail of the free wifi while you are here. Time spent here is part of your total 2 hour approx. stay in Blarney.
Enjoy a panoramic driving tour of Cork city. See the sights like The English Market, Shandon Bells and Murphy's Brewery. Be enthralled by the history of this fascinating rebel city from the the time of Vikings through to The Anglo Norman Invasion and right up to the modern times of the formation of our state.
Stroll around the very charming winding streets of the village of Kinsale and choose from one of the many fine restaurants to enjoy a great lunch or maybe even sample a local beverage. On your stroll you will get to see the 12th century St. Multose Church, Desmond Castle & International Museum of Wine, The Giants House and Market Square. Duration here is up to 2 hours depending on your ships docking/sailing time.
While in Kinsale you will have the option of taking our 30 minute free walking tour of Kinsale which will greatly enhance your experience of this charming village
We will enjoy a short stop here at this majestic Cathedral with the largest carillon of bells in Europe. Take in the stunning harbour scenery here while you learn about the ill fated Titanic, mass emigration, rich maritime history, the gorgeous gael and much more.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Normally departure is 8am sharp but if you ship docks later than 07:30 our tour will depart precisely 30 minutes after the first passengers disembark. At The Port in Cobh - When you get off your ship, turn right and walk 1 minute to the port gates. Our team will be there holding "Butlers Tours" signs (Watch out for our red hats) At The Port in Ringaskiddy - When you get off your ship, turn left and walk 2 minute to the port gates. Our team will be there holding "Butlers" signs (Watch out for our red hats and hi-viz jackets) We will escort you to your bus 3 minutes away. Do not delay getting to your bus as a quick getaway will put you ahead of the crowds and avoid long lines at Blarney Castle.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
- 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
Reviews(633)
Great tour with a comfortable bus, excellent guide and driver. Spent an amazing day in Cork visiting the castle and the small town.
Fantastic tour guide! Experienced and took the time get in to details of area. Willing to go above and beyond!
A very relaxed tour of the Blarney Castle where we “kissed the stone,” and visited the beautiful town of Kinsale and enjoyed a delicious lunch. John was great as our tour guide and even sang traditional Irish songs while viewing the gorgeous countryside!
Butlers tours offers a reliable and punctual service for cruise passengers. Kevin was very kind and his narration of the tour was detailed and interesting!
Tour guide had nice facts while we traveled to Blarney castle. Got us there early and it was an amazing place which included the most wonderful grounds. He looked after ea one of us and made sure we enjoyed the tour
Very enjoyable tour with very knowledgeable guide and friendly driver. Would recommend this tour to Blarney castle and the Butler bus company as very professional and assistance to travelers.
Seamless experience with good direction
This was an absolute 10. John and Phil made the day special. The pride they have in their country was inspiring. The anecdotes were poignant and heartwarming. John sang several Irish tunes during the trip and it was terrific. Phil had us to the castle first! We were literally the first of the day to kiss the stone leaving us two hours to tour the incredible gardens. The trip to Kinsale was a very pleasant two hours and the recommended fish and chip stop at Dinos was on the mark. Add in the fact that this trip was far less expensive than the ones we’ve been taking through the cruise line, and this was a total win. Just a great day.
I was a little nervous when I first booked this tour because it was on a larger bus, and I usually prefer smaller group tours. But I was very pleasantly surprised — this tour was excellent from beginning to end! The route was very well thought out, and everything worked like clockwork. We left on time, stayed on schedule throughout the day, and got back to Cobh right on time, which is especially important when you’re returning to a cruise ship. Our tour guide, Ian, was fantastic. He gave us lots of interesting commentary along the way and was very knowledgeable, entertaining, and humorous. Our driver, Billy, was also excellent, and we felt completely comfortable with him throughout the day. The entire tour was extremely well organized, enjoyable, and professionally run. Everyone in our group thoroughly enjoyed the day. I wouldn’t hesitate to book with Butler Shore Tours again. Highly recommended!
We had a great time on our tour of Blarney castle, Kinsale, and Cobh. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and kept us entertained on our drive.
