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(640)
Ian our guide, Billy our driver and the second guide (I’m sorry I can’t remember his name) were all PHENOMENAL! From the detailed history to the Irish humor and the Pub Style songs I would book this tour with them again without hesitation!!
Outstanding tour guide and bus driver. Very organized. Would highly recommend to anyone. Absolutely nothing negative at all.
Loved this tour! Butler Tours was amazing from the start. Their communication with us was phenomenal. In the day of our excursion, they met us at the pier and were super easy to find based on their previous reminders. Viator was terrific with providing repeated reminders regarding our tickets—that was excellent. The buses were well kept. Most of all our tour guide Jamie and driver Kevin were exceptional. Jamie gave extensive Ireland historical information and helpful advice as to how best spend our time at Blarney Castle. The gardens captured my heart. Don’t miss the seven sisters. From there our tour continued on to Kinsale giving us time for lunch. We chose to sit down at Jim Edward’s, a small pub/cafe style eatery. I had the hot chicken salad for 18 euros and loved it. From there Jamie led a small tour of the town. Leaving this tour I felt educated about the history of the Irish people and the struggles and celebrations of the area and country. Great tour. Highly recommend. And a big kudos to Jamie.
This was a great experience. Our guide, Jamie, was wonderful. He told us a lot of history and had a great knowledge of local culture. The company communicated with us well before the tour. They started the tour early so we could be first at Blarney castle. And we were first, which allowed us to get to the top without a line. This was an amazing tour. I highly recommend.
The best tour we have ever taken. Ian, Billy and Chris were incredible! Ian’s history throughout the tour was more than we could ask for
It's incredible! Niahll was funny, helpful and informative. Dan did a great job of getting us to the Blarney Castle before the long lines formed. The castle and gardens were amazing. We enjoyed the stop in Kinsale and the brief stop at the church in Cobh. This is one of our all-time favorite excursions!
Ian and Billy were amazing. Very knowledgeable and made the time in the bus fun. Ian’s brother Bobby even sang a couple of Irish songs on the bus.
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!
