Cobh (Cork) to Blarney Castle & Kinsale - Shore Excursion
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Blarney Castle & Gardens
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
Blarney Woollen Mills
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.
What‘s Included
Live commentary on board from local experienced guides
Storage for wheelchairs, scooters, etc
Air-conditioned vehicle
Option of Free Walking Tour in Kinsale
Admission To Blarney Castle & Gardens
Pick up from your ship and return to same
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Options
Cobh (Cork) to Blarney Castle & Kinsale - Shore Excursion
Pickup included
Reviews
514 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Definitely recommend
Virginia S,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a wonderful tour! Ian was our tour guide and Roy was the driver of the bus and John and Troina (sp) were in training I understand but they were all just wonderful. Blarney Castle was such a surprise for me- the grounds and gardens were magnificent. I think we were the first bus to arrive at Barney Castle that day so people in our group going to kiss the Blarney stone made a B line and didn't have to wait very long. There is a Woolen Mill we walked to after seeing the castle grounds which is also nice.We then went by bus into to the town of Kinsale and walked around a bit ate lunch on our own and then got a tour for about 40 minutes which was really pleasant. We also got a tour of Cobh from our guides who were residents of the town. John and Troina even sang on the bus on the way back. The weather was absolutely glorious most of the day. I was sunny still a little cool and the bus was very comfortable and had climate control. I was amazed how kind everyone was in the shops and restaurants. Just a great day all around.
Cobh, Cork & Blarney Castle
Thomas M,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was operated by "Butler Tours" and our experience was absolutely fabulous! We received clear & concise meeting instructions for the tour. Upon leaving our cruise ship the tour group was easy to find and there were plenty of staff available to direct us. The coaches were modern, clean & very comfortable. Our driver, Jim and tour guide Niall were outstanding. Niall was engaging and provided great historical perspectives on Cobh, Cork, the Blarney Castle and Ireland. Directions for tour attractions, meeting sites, shopping and dining were spot on! We highly recommend the Butler Tour Company
Great tour
Georgina S,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great tour! We would recommend it. Our tour guide was information and entertaining and our bus driver very good too.
Great Tour
GeorginaJoyce,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great Tour. Our bus driver and tour guide were very good and entertaining. The stops were great too. It was too bad our ship docked in Ringaskiddy not Cobh so that we missed seeing the Cathedral. Overall, great tour and would recommend it.
Cruise Ship Excursion to Blarney Castle
norms699,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We started off having an issue in that our ship couldn't dock at Cobh and had to go to the other port Ringaskiddy. We were told this will affect our time visiting Cork (which we only drove thru) which was disappointing. We met the bus near the port entrance and we did get off to an early start to see the Blarney Castle. This is a must as the lineup to kiss the stone was less than 30 minutes when we got there and over 90 minutes when I came out of the castle. We only spent 2 hours at the castle which is not enough time. We never got to see Blarney Woolen mills. We then went to Kinsale. It rained the whole time there which probably affected my opinion but I thought it was waste of time visiting the place. The time would have been better spent either at the castle or in Cork. I do commend the guide, driver and the Butler staff who were all professional and approachable.
Our favorite excursion.
565crystal,Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a really great day on our cruise port excursion to Blarney castle. Butler tours was amazing at keeping us informed of what was happening, even with a change in our docking port made by the cruise line. Ian and Dan were certainly the “A” team getting us to Blarney castle before the lines got long. Our guide and driver were very entertaining and informative and made this excursion one of our favorites.
Great location but not t...
James N,Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Great location but not t the effort. Would have to have waited nearly 60 minutes to get into the castle so just walked the grounds. No need to walk yet another set of ruins. Weather didn't help but no control.
Fun and interesting tour.
Ian B,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver got us to Blarney Castle before the worst of the crowds. Paul, our tour guide, did a wonderful job of giving us a lot of information about the local history in a fun way. He even treated us to a couple of songs. Highly recommend this tour.
Very enjoyable tour
purpleij,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a very enjoyable and informative tour. Our bus tour guide Kevin was excellent. He made sure everyone was taken cared of and the bus was very comfortable. Would recommend! Worth the money.
Great Cork overview in full day
Michael A,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Outstanding guide AND driver. Perfect timing at all sites including first in line T Blarney Castle. Even left sufficient time at end to explore Corh and walk back to ship.
From €79.00
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Operated by Butlers Shore Tours