Dublin to Rock of Cashel Cork City and Blarney Castle Guided Tour
Description
Discover the highlights of Cork & Tipperary on this popular day tour from Dublin. Visit the most famous castle in all of Ireland - Blarney Castle. Lay back and kiss the magical Blarney Stone and receive the gift of eloquent speech for 7 years. Enjoy 90 minutes in Cork to see the highlights of the Southern Capital including the English Markets which welcomed Queen Elizabeth II of England on her recent state visit to Ireland. Also experience Rock of Cashel - a magnificent ruin overlooking the plains of Co. Tipperary. Your ticket includes admission fees to Blarney Castle and Gardens worth EUR 24.00 & entrance to Rock of Cashel worth EUR 8.00!
Tour Options
Itinerary
We depart Dublin @ 08:00, driving through the midlands down to Blarney, in the beautiful County Cork. We will pass through the Golden Vale, the most fertile lands in all of Europe with green fields as far as the eye can see.
Our first stop will be the world famous Rock of Cashel in Co. Tipperary. One of Ireland's most evocative sites, you can stroll in the footsteps of St. Patrick flanked by ruins, Celtic crosses and round towers. Feel the soul of Ireland. The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster until they donated the complex to the Catholic Church almost 1,000 years ago for use as a cathedral. One of the best examples of medieval architecture anywhere in Europe. Your entrance fee (EUR 7.00) is included in the price of this tour.
Enjoy one hour and thirty minutes at leisure in Cork city, Ireland's southern capital. Highlights include the gourmet English Markets (1788) with a large selection of food stalls representing the best of local produce. Queen Elizabeth II of England thoroughly enjoyed meeting local artisans here on her State Visit in 2011! Also known as the “Rebel City” for its fierce resistance during the War of Independence, Cork has a vibrant Irish atmosphere. Perhaps sample a pint of Murphy's Irish Stout or pick up a bottle of Paddy Flaherty Irish Whiskey. Enjoy 1.5 hours exploring Cork City with your family and friends. Join us back on the tour and we will head for the majestic Blarney Castle!
Famed in song and story, the Irish are famous for the “Blarney”. Kiss the Blarney Stone and you too will receive this “gift of the gab” - 7 years of eloquent speech. Situated on the battlements of Blarney Castle you will have to bend over backwards to kiss the stone! You have time to enjoy a stroll around the fabulous gardens of the Blarney Estate or maybe enjoy the beautiful Lake Walk. We also visit the Witches Cave in the castle grounds before having plenty of time to indulge in the tax free shopping haven of the Blarney Woollen Mills and craft shop. Your entrance fee (EUR 13.00) is included in the price of this tour.
Tour ends in Dublin approx. 20:00 in time for evening entertainment.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Baby and booster seats available, please notify us with your booking if you require.
- Collapsible wheelchairs can be stored underneath, and are the responsibility of the passenger.
- Bookings made through Viator will automatically be signed up for the pickup point and collection time specified in the booking.
- If you wish to change your reservation to one of the other pick-up locations offered by Paddywagon Tours, you will need to contact us by telephone or email not later than 17:00 the evening prior so that we can guarantee the change. Please note that changes are only guaranteed once confirmed in writing by us.
- If you wish to depart the tour in eg Cork instead of returning to Dublin you are welcome to do so. Please simply inform the driver first thing in the morning of your intention not to return to Dublin and remind him again as you are leaving the tour. You are welcome to bring luggage with you which can be stored in the luggage compartment. Hand luggage can be stored in the overhead compartment. Valuables are stored at your own risk and the company cannot be held liable for damage or loss
- As is typical throughout the industry, tour vehicles do not have washrooms for hygiene reasons. Accordingly, ample restroom breaks are factored into the itinerary
Reviews(2,794)
First thing, the gps sends you to the wrong location for meet up. To be fair, the bus picks you up within line of sight of that location but that assumes you can see the tour bus in an area rife with traffic. It was not a major problem but if you are trying to make a strict schedule, it may be problematic. Second would be the tour description. I thought I booked a trip to blarney castle. I did, but did not realize I was going to a few other places as well. This would be fine, except Blarney had much more to explore than the other places combined. The gardens and castle are gorgeous and you could easily spend a day there. I thought half-day at the castle meant a half-day, not 2.5 hours. Honestly that’s the biggest criticism. Lastly, the bus does not have a bathroom. On the way over this wasn’t a problem since the driver stopped about once every hour to ninety minutes. On the way back though, he only stopped once after every one spent time at the pub. All that said though the driver is knowledgeable, and the tour is well organized, I feel that less time at the unadvertised destinations and one more bathroom break would be better. Glad I went, but if I use this tour company again i definitely want to verify the description.
The castle tours was informative and enjoyable. Quite the long day. Jerry our tour guide was cery knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
Rock of Cashel and Blarney castle were great 5+. Could have easily have spent another hour at Blarney castle as the grounds were vast and amazing. We felt like our time was cut short. This could easily have been remedied by the poor lunch stop. We pre-ordered food at Gallaghers in Cork city (over priced sandwiches) and were left to wander for an hour. Tour guide directed to a shopping center to spend this time. The center is old and was 70% vacant - waste of a lunch break. Everyone was done and back waiting on the bus well before the hour was up. Other than poor lunch stop location tour guide/bus driver was good and knowledgeable about areas on the route.
Our driver/tour guide was hands down best driver we ever had. He was hilarious! We had a great time. The spot we stopped for lunch was incredible. Weather was great too! Loved the shops and glad there was not a long line to kiss the Blarney stone.
We enjoyed the tour stops and our guide and his knowledge of the areas. The only downside was that there wasn’t enough time at Blarney Castle to see the Blarney Stone and explore grounds. We enjoyed the grounds instead of going into the Castle to kiss the stone, but having more time to do both would have been better. That would probably mean cutting out a different stop though. The seats on the bus were also the least comfortable of the four different companies we toured with.
This tour was incredible! Alex was my driver/guide and he was phenomenal. Told lots of great stories, great sense of humor just overall fantastic. Lots of history and stories without too much talking. The bus was great too spacious, and comfortable. The tour was lovely, enough time at each spot so you don't feel rushed. I would book this tour over and over again. Great job guys! See you on Paddywagon tours again in the future!
This was a great trip! My sister and I had such an adventurous day kissing the Blarney Stone, exploring Cork, and our guide Alex made the whole journey so memorable with his knowledgeable stories and jokes! Would recommend for first timers who want to explore the most they can in a short time.
Bus Ride and visit times were perfect .!! Bathroom stop on both ways to and from Dublin .When you get to The Blarney Castle you’ll need to make a decision whether you want to stand in line forever to kiss the stone or explore the grounds .! We walked over 4 miles through the paths and trails . Amazing picture taking opportunities.!
The whole day, from start to finish was spot on. The team from Paddywagon were excellent and the whole day was thoroughly enjoyable. Dave, our tour guide, was knowledgeable, approachable and very funny. Highly recommended
Our driver and guide David was the very best! Very knowledgeable!! The nicest guy ever! Thank you David for making our tour so great !!
