Blarney Castle, Kinsale & Cobh Private Tour from Cork

Three coastal towns and a castle, at the pace you set

A private tour of Cork, Kinsale, Blarney Castle and Cobh with your own local guide in a reserved vehicle for up to seven guests. You kiss the Blarney Stone, wander the castle gardens at your own pace, browse Blarney Woollen Mills, spend free time in Kinsale's colourful streets, and finish at Cobh's waterfront with its cathedral and famous "Deck of Cards" houses. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel, accommodation or cruise port included. Entry to Blarney Castle is paid on site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Blarney Castle & Gardens2h
2. Kinsale2h

Explore Blarney, Kinsale, and Cobh

• Visit Blarney Castle and kiss stone
• Wander Blarney Castle gardens
• Stop at Blarney Woollen Mills
• Browse gifts and enjoy coffee
• Free time in Kinsale town
• Explore Kinsale harbour and streets
• Visit Cobh waterfront and cathedral
• See Cobh’s Deck of Cards houses
• Return to cruise or accommodation

The experience

The day starts at Blarney Castle, where you kiss the famous Blarney Stone and walk the gardens and hidden paths without a schedule. Your guide is there to share the history and stories, but the pace is yours: linger where you want, take photos, sit on a bench. Afterward, a short stop at Blarney Woollen Mills gives you time to pick up authentic Irish gifts or grab a coffee before moving on.

Kinsale comes next: one of Ireland's most colourful seaside towns, with a relaxed harbour and vibrant streets. You have free time to explore, eat lunch, wander the waterfront or just sit and watch the boats. Your guide knows the town and can point you toward the best spots, but the afternoon is yours to spend as you like.

The tour ends in Cobh, the final port of call of the Titanic, where the waterfront is lined with coloured houses and St. Colman's Cathedral rises above the harbour. You see the famous "Deck of Cards" houses that overlook the water, then settle back into the vehicle for a comfortable return to your cruise ship or Cork accommodation. The whole day runs seven hours, with a professional local guide who is a member of the Independent Tour Guide Association of Ireland.

What’s included

• Local guide in English.
• private vehicle reserved exclusively for your group (sedan for 1–3 guests, minivan for 4–7).
• pickup and drop-off from your hotel, accommodation or cruise port.
• comfortable travel with no cramped seating.
• one fixed price for the entire group.

Options for this experience

2 options

Executive sedan (for 1 to 3 guests)Up to 3 per booking · Guide in English · Available from 1 Mar 2027Sedan, includes pickup

Executive minibus (for 1 to 7 guests)Up to 7 per booking · Guide in English · Available from 1 Dec · 5 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 10:30Includes pickup

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 10:30

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 23

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Evergreen Private Tours Ireland

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're a small group or family who want to see multiple towns without driving yourself, or if you're cruise passengers with a port day in Cork. The private vehicle and guide mean you move at your own pace through each stop (lingering at Blarney's gardens, taking time in Kinsale's streets, or exploring Cobh's waterfront) rather than following a fixed schedule with a larger group.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Blarney Stone and why do people kiss it?

The Blarney Stone is a block of blue limestone built into the wall of Blarney Castle, high up on the battlements. Legend says kissing it grants the gift of eloquence or persuasive speech. You'll climb the castle stairs to reach it, and your guide can explain the history and the tradition before you decide whether to kiss it yourself.

How much free time do I get in Kinsale?

Kinsale is built into the tour as free time so you can explore at your own pace: walk the coloured streets, eat lunch, take photos by the harbour, or simply sit and soak in the atmosphere. Your guide will let you know when it's time to move on to Cobh, but within that window the time is yours.

Do I need to pay extra for entry to Blarney Castle?

Entry to Blarney Castle and its gardens is paid directly at the site when you arrive, not included in the tour price. Your guide will help you with the process and can answer questions about what to expect inside.

Is this tour suitable for cruise passengers?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your cruise port is included, and the seven-hour duration is designed to fit a port day. Your guide will time the return to get you back to the ship comfortably, and the itinerary covers three distinct towns so you see a good range of Cork in one day.

Can a group of five people book this as one private tour?

Yes. Groups of up to seven guests travel together in one reserved vehicle: a sedan for one to three people, or a minivan for four to seven. You pay one fixed price for the whole group, and everyone travels together with the same guide and stops.