Blarney Castle Tour: Small-Group Shore Excursion

Explore Blarney Castle and Jameson Distillery on a luxury small-group tour from Cork. Book early to secure your spot and avoid disappointment.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Port of Cobh - Cobh (Cork) Cruise Ship Terminal - We collect passengers from the cruise ship at 07:30 for departure @ 08:00. Where your ship docks later than 07:30 the tour will begin 30 minutes after disembarkation commences.
  • Blarney Castle & Gardens - Our first stop of the day is Blarney. Visit the most famous Castle in all of
    Ireland!! Lie…
What's Included
  • Port pickup and drop-off
  • Live commentary on board
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • On-board WiFi
  • Bottled water
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
Additional Information

This small-group shore excursion from Cobh Cruise Terminal accommodates no more than 24 passengers on a luxury small van and allows for a particularly intimate day on shore. The tour begins with a pick-up from the cruise liner terminal in Cobh, Cork Harbour, where your driver will be waiting for you to drive you to Blarney Castle and Castles, where the…

Location
Port of Cobh
Cobh (Cork) Cruise Ship Terminal - We collect passengers from the cruise ship at 07:30 for departure @ 08:00. Where your ship docks later than 07:30 the tour will begin 30 minutes after disembarkation commences.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.4
(41 Ratings)
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Janice_f
Sep 9, 2024
Fantastic tour in Cork. - Blarney Castle was amazing. Our guide got us on site early enough in the morning to beat the big bus rush. As such, we waited a fraction of the time in line to kiss the Blarney Stone. Jameson Distillery was also a treat to see the first hand production and learn about the rich history.
Review provided by Viator
William_f
Sep 7, 2024
Way more value that the cruise ship excursion - This was far far better than the Blarney Castle shore excursion offered by the cruise ship, which was 2hr at the castle and then return to ship. On this excursion we had 3 hours at the castle and then had a brewery tour. We arrived at Blarney castle just before it opened and had very short wait. By the time the cruise ship bus arrived, there was already a 75-minute wait to get in the castle Thus we had plenty of time to visit the castle and its gardens and then go the woolen mill, gift shop, and cafe. After that we went to the Jameson Distillery and had an amazing tour which included a tasting and free cocktail. There was plenty of commentary on the bus about the local history, points of interest, and also about the castle, woolen mill, and distillery. Not only was the tour less expensive than the cruise ship excursion, but they paid all admissions.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_b
Sep 1, 2024
Lot in short amount of time - Appreciate fact got to Blarney Castle quickly and got to avoid lines for seeing the stone! Jameson distillery tour interesting and well done...
Review provided by Viator
Amy_b
Aug 22, 2024
Great experience! - We had a great day with Tim our guide, and Sean our driver. Made for a great day at Blarney Castle and Midleton Distillery. Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Jason_w
Aug 11, 2024
Kiss the stone and then enjoy a shot of Jameson - This tour was outstanding. Kevin is the best tour guide we have had on any excursion. Expectations were high and Kevin and Paddywaggon exceeded those expectations.
Review provided by Viator
Jamie_s
Aug 1, 2024
Fun and Informative Tour! - Pudge was a great tour guide. I appreciated his candor regarding the politics in the region. Jamison was a great tour, loved the original buildings. Tasting the different whiskeys was fun, even for a wine drinker. He gave us great advice regarding the Blarney Castle and we avoided the crowds. No problem navigating from the cruise port.
Review provided by Viator
Tracy_c
Aug 24, 2024
Not a Small Group - This tour was transportation to Blarney Castle (2.5 hour stay) and then to Jameson distillery. No guiding was involved. Also we signed up for the small group with the black vans but we were put on a white bus with a large group. The "guide" and the driver were great! So we're the 2 stops. We got to kiss the Blarney Stone.
Review provided by Viator
Rebel2020
Aug 10, 2024
Manage your Expectations - Tour locations were excellent but beware you may not get what you expect. Advertised was a small group bus with Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a guided tour. We got a stuffed taxi (8 adults plus the driver) rather than van with no air, no commentary other than friendly banter, no water or Wi-Fi as advertised. Chris was great as a driver and got us to each location, but this was a taxi ride rather than tour. We still enjoyed the experience and would give the tour operator another chance.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marla_b
Sep 4, 2024
Vendor Cancelled Last Minute - I find it ironic that I've been asked to review an excursion that was cancelled by the vendor, Paddywagon. I was contacted one day before we arrived in Cobh, on a cruise ship. I got an email and then a phone call. I was offered a large bus excursion to replace a small group excursion. I believe I'm owed a refund.
Review provided by Viator
Pkislas
Aug 15, 2024
Worst Tour Ever - Horrible Experience. Booked this through PaddyWagon Tours but it’s booked actually with Elegant Irish Tours. This is surely the worst “tour” I’ve ever been on. It was nowhere near what was described on your website. See comments below; 1. The information states we would be taken in style by a van with no more than 25 passengers. There were 8 of us stuffed into a taxi which smelled like smoke. The only air circulation was from windows. But when they were open they blew in the face of the passengers in the last seat. I personally don’t consider this being “taken in style”. 2. We were supposed to enjoy a panoramic view of Cork while our guide points out highlights. We did not have a tour guide. After we were driving for 20 minutes or so I finally asked where we were. Not at any time prior to that did he speak about anything we were passing. At that point I knew something was up. When we stopped I asked about this. Our driver admittedly stated he was not a guide and would try the best he can. He was called the night before to take us. He pointed out nothing throughout the day as stated in your description of the tour. Even if he would have said anything those of us stuck in the back couldn’t hear him. 3. We were dropped off in Cork for a few minutes, but really had no understanding as to why. We didn’t have time for lunch. He dropped us off in front of Carrolls gift shop. I want a refund for this tour. You should have contacted us the day before saying you don’t have a tour guide or a comfortable van (luxury). We could have chosen to go or not, but the company decided to stick us in a taxi with someone who has no knowledge of history or points of interest. Or maybe we could have been added to another tour? But no - we sat uncomfortably for hours. It’s really despicable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor