Dublin to Cork, Blarney Castle & Cobh Cathedral Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore historic Blarney Castle
- Kiss the Blarney Stone for eloquence
- Discover the charming city of Cork
- Visit the stunning Cobh Cathedral
- Enjoy scenic train and coach rides
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip train and coach transportation from Dublin
- Guided tours of Blarney Castle and Cobh Cathedral
- Free time to explore Cork city
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
On arrival in Cork at 09:35, we transfer to our tour coach through Cork City to Blarney Village and historic Blarney Castle – which is over 600 years old. Explore the beautiful gardens and take the time to kiss the famous stone, which is said to bestow the gift of eternal eloquence on those lucky enough to do so. There is also time for shopping and lunch at Blarney Village. TIP! We recommend that you have lunch there, as this will be the only opportunity during the day to have a substantial meal. You depart Blarney at 13:30 hrs. Approximately – or as directed by your Host – for Cóbh, via the city centre and a short city tour.
When Queen Victoria visited Ireland in 1849 she came to Cóbh and the town was renamed Queenstown in her honour – it was renamed Cóbh after Irish independence in 1922. Cóbh was, of course, the final port of call of the RMS Titanic and this theme is well expounded. The centre also houses much information about the Great Famine and subsequent Irish Emigration – 3 million Irish people emigrated from Cóbh (principally to the United States). The Lusitania was torpedoed off the coast of Cork – marking the United States’ entry to the First World War – and the small number of survivors were brought to Cóbh for refuge. Cóbh is also the headquarters of the Irish Navy and you will most likely see some navy ships.
Meeting point
Start Location
Heuston Station, Saint James, Dublin, Ireland
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour involves a full day of travel and walking; ensure you're comfortable with the itinerary.
- Meals and beverages are not included; plan accordingly for dining options.
- The tour operates in English; proficiency in the language is recommended.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the sites.
- Bring a camera to capture the picturesque landscapes and historic sites.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly for the day's conditions.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Check in at 6:40AM! Train departs at 7am & it does not wait. Our yellow check-in stand is located close to the Customer Service Desk at Heuston Station where our representative will be waiting for you in their BRIGHT yellow jacket!
- Due to operational reasons it may, on occasion, be necessary to alter certain itineraries.
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- Children U16 cannot book independently. They must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.
- WHEELCHAIR POLICY: Our tours are a combination of train and luxury coach and include a moderate level of physical activity, such as short walks to meeting points etc. Unfortunately even the most modern luxury coaches (buses) are not wheelchair friendly, thus our tours are not suitable for those with mobility issues, and regretfully walkers, wheelchairs and mobility scooters cannot be accommodated on our tours.
- This tour offers stops en route for photographs, shopping, etc.
Traveler reviews
Awesome excursion
Had a great time on this excursion. Brian was a great host. Blarney Castle is gorgeous - don’t sleep on the gardens, they are worth exploring!! Very cute shops here too. Do know you only drive through downtown Cork, you don’t stop to explore Cork. I do wish we had more time to explore Cóbh instead of only one hour. If I could do it again I’d walk up to the main Cóbh village to take photos and see the shops instead of visiting the Heritage Center.
Long travel day with limited time at sites
Interesting way to travel from Dublin, however it was a lot of waiting around while we had limited time at the points of interest. The “cork city tour” was only on the tour bus and the only places we got out was at the blarney castle (2 hours) and Cobh heritage center (1 hour). The interactions between the guide and the driver were heated at times. The guide made multiple comments about the driver affecting his tips, and told guests to make sure to tip them separately. The rules about food/drinks on the bus were strict, cold drinks only. We enjoyed Blarney Castle and the village but not sure this was the best way to do it.
Time is very limited at...
Time is very limited at Blarney if there is a crowd for stone and castle. I would have preferred to stay there vs going to 2nd stop.
Great experience!
The train ride and bus were fantastic. Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone are a must-see! Make sure you are clear on where to meet the bus after visiting the castle.
Excellent tour with Norm!...
Excellent tour with Norm! Well organized and on time! Norm was very knowledgeable, informative and funny! Highly recommend.