Tour the very historic city right at the southern end of Ireland, kiss the Blarney Stone and visit the Rock of Cashel.
Description
This tour will take you on a voyage of history visiting a castle, a monastery and Cork city itself.
We depart at the crack of dawn leaving Dublin and passing by the Guinness Factory and also College Green Tourism Office. On the way, you will learn more about the sights that we pass in the city center. As we leave Dublin behind, the urban landscape changes to that of the rolling hills and constant hedges of the Irish countryside. We'll pass an area called The Curragh in County Kildare. This area is ideal for training horses, due to the sandy soil that creates excellent drainage, making it an ideal spot for horse racing. Not surprisingly, the Curragh race track is situated nearby. County Kildare is also well known for horse breeding and vast tracks of lands today are owned by the likes of the Agha Khan and Sheik Mohammed. Close to Kildare Town, you will find the National Stud Farm, world famous for its horse breeding, coupled with the lovely Japanese Gardens.
After a short stop over to stretch our legs, we pass the Knockmealdown Mountains, made famous by the folk song "Kitty Borne O'Brien." This song is a lover's lament for a young woman who emigrates from Ireland to Canada. Like most Irish songs it is either about a broken heart or fighting with the English! Further along the way, we will see the Galtee Mountains, Ireland's highest inland mountain range, with its stony scree-covered summit- but more on the Galtee's under our "Of special interest" section. This is also a famous cheese making area in Ireland. Tipperary is also home to hurling although Kilkenny their neighbour seems to beat them most of the time! Keep your eyes out for handball alleys while on the bus, a traditional sport played mostly in rural Ireland.
We arrive at Blarney Castle and half the day's driving is already done! Blarney Castle, famous for its Blarney Stone, also has lovely wooded walks and "Rock Close"- a garden filled with Druidic rock formations, believed to be dating back to pre-historic times. To kiss the Blarney Stone, you have to bend backwards when on the parrifits of the castle, holding onto iron railings- basically hanging upside down. The reward for your efforts: to be bestowed with the so-called "gift of the gab."
We arrive in Cork City, where we have 2 hours to maybe grab some lunch at the English Market (now with a very international flavour), go marvel at the Gothic St. Finbar's Cathedral, or even ring the bells of Shandon at St. Anne's Church for a small fee. Cork is home to Murphy's Ale and the Ford Tractor factory.
At the Rock of Cashel, we visit this great Celtic Cathedral, which includes the Hall of Vicars, Cormack's Chapel, which has one of Ireland's oldest Romanesque wall paintings and the Round tower, all perched on a solid rock ringed by a curtain wall. This Rock of Cashel, is the seat of the archbishop of the diocese of Cashel and is the sight where the historical synod of Cashel. It dates back from before there Anglo-Norman conquerors and contains an amazing collection of architecture, history and Romanesque art.
Transportation fee
Admission fee
Our trip to the Blarney Castle and Cork/Galway was so very special! Our guide made the day. He had so many stories about the Irish History, Customs and Trivia! Of course, the country side and the Castles are the highlight but informative and friendly guides really make the difference! We kissed the stone and made our wish - and found two great pubs in Galway --Finnegan's - in the oldest medieval building - and King's Head Pub - both had great irish coffees. Our guide made sure we had time to get a taste of the country!!
Donna and Jay Wendl
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Schedule
Check in
Depart from Dublin
Blarney Castle
Arrive at Blarney Castle renowned for its Blarney Stone. It also has lovely wooded walks and "Rock Close", a garden filled with Druidic rock formations. To kiss the stone, you have to bend backwards, holding onto iron railings upside down. The reward: to be bestowed with the "Gift of the Gab".
Cork City
Continue to Cork City where you will have to grab some lunch at the English Market. Also, you may explore the city and visit the Gothic Street, Finbar's Cathedral, or even ring the bells of Shandon at St. Anne's Church for a small fee. Cork is home to Murphy's Ale and the Ford Tractor factory.
The Rock Of Cashel
At the Rock of Cashel, visit the great Celtic Cathedral, which includes the Hall of Vicars, Cormack's Chapel, which has one of Ireland's oldest Romanesque wall paintings, and the Round Tower, all perched on a solid rock ringed by a curtain wall.
Depart for Dublin
Check out
(For Check-In) Suffolk Street ( Molly Malone Statue Suffolk St Dublin 2 Ireland) Time: 06:40:00
(For Check-Out) Suffolk Street ( Molly Malone Statue Suffolk St Dublin 2 Ireland) Time: 19:00:00
Check-in Time & Location
(For Check-In) Suffolk Street ( Molly Malone Statue Suffolk St Dublin 2 Ireland) Time: 06:40:00
Check-out Time & Location
(For Check-Out) Suffolk Street ( Molly Malone Statue Suffolk St Dublin 2 Ireland) Time: 19:00:00
Price & Options
Notes
Walking shoes
Comfortable clothing
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviews
Our trip to the Blarney Castle and Cork/Galway was so very special! Our guide made the day. He had so many stories about the Irish... History, Customs and Trivia! Of course, the country side and the Castles are the highlight but informative and friendly guides really make the difference! We kissed the stone and made our wish - and found two great pubs in Galway --Finnegan's - in the oldest medieval building - and King's Head Pub - both had great irish coffees. Our guide made sure we had time to get a taste of the country!! more
Donna and Jay Wendl
Cancellation Policy
Any cancellations made within 1 business days of your activity (after 06:50:00 local time) will be subject to a charge of 100% of the total amount.
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