2-Day Cork and Blarney Castle Rail Tour from Dublin

Overview

Available languages

English

48 hours

Mobile ticket

Take a journey by rail and coach through Ireland's picturesque landscapes on this 2-day trip departing from Dublin. Kiss the famous Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle in Cork and learn about the history of Cork on a city tour. Then visit Victoria Station, where you’ll learn about generations of Irish emigrants as you tour the fascinating Queenstown Story Heritage Centre in Cobh.

Additional Info

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

PLEASE NOTE: If you are booking a double occupancy room, please specify in 'Special Requirements' whether you prefer a double or a twin-bed room (subject to availability)

Due to operational reasons it may, on occasion, be necessary to alter certain itineraries

Children U16 cannot book independently. They must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.

WHEELCHAIR POLICY: Railtours Ireland First Class ltd very successfully offers hosted railtours for the independent traveller. 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.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

What To Expect

Day 1

Dublin – Cork

Accommodations

Overnight at the Cork Metropole Hotel

Overnight in the Cork Metropole Hotel

12 hours • Admission Included

Day 2

Cork, Blarney Castle and Queenstown Story

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast in your hotel

Cobh Heritage Centre

On arrival at Cóbh (pronounced: Cove), we will visit St Colman’s Cathedral. We will then proceed down along the sea front passing the former White Star Line offices en route to the beautifully restored Victorian railway station/transatlantic terminal. This is now the Cóbh Heritage Centre, home to the Queenstown Story to which your entrance is included. 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) including Annie Moore, whose statue is located in front of the heritage centre. 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.

1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Included

Blarney Castle & Gardens

We visit the historic Blarney Castle –built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy. You will have 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 and 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.

3 hours • Admission Included

St Colman’s Cathedral

St. Colman’s Cathedral, overlooking Cobh is dedicated to St. Colman who founded the diocese in 560 A.D. Colman was a poet bard to the Court of the King of Munster, at Cashel in Tipperary. Influenced by St. Brendan and St. Ita, he left Palace life to become a priest. He received grants of land at Cloyne, on the eastern shore of Cork Harbour, from the King of Cashel. There he founded his monastery, traces of which still survive.

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Local guide

Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

Breakfast

Overnight accommodation

Gratuities

Food and drinks, unless specified

Options