Top 15 Blarney Castle Tours in Cork

1.Cobh (Cork) to Blarney Castle & Kinsale – Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 504 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $95Our pick

Travel from Cobh or Ringaskiddy to Blarney Castle, kiss the Blarney Stone, explore the gardens, then spend free time in Kinsale. A local guide such as Jamie, Ian, or Kevin provides live commentary on the bus, while admission to Blarney Castle and Gardens is included.

“Excellent . In depth tour and guide was clear about every aspect. Well priced tour. Guide got us into each attraction without any wait time especially at Blarney Stone”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Shore Excursion From Cork: Including Blarney Castle and Kinsale

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 470 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $107

Leave Cobh early for Blarney Castle and Gardens, where your included entry helps you reach the stone before the biggest queues. Continue through Cork to Kinsale for lunch and free time, with a driver-guide, live commentary, WiFi, and a return to port at least an hour before sailing.

“We had a wonderful day visiting Blarney Castle & Gardens, Cork, and Kinsale, Ireland. Our driver (Paul) added depth to our trip by sharing his knowledge of locations and Ireland. His narrative and interactive delivery style kept us informed and entertained throughout the day. He made us wish we had more time to explore the areas on our itinerary.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Cork and Blarney Castle Visit from Cobh by Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 106 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $122

Start at Cobh Railway Station, ride along the River Lee to Cork, then continue by coach to Blarney Castle and Gardens. Andrew, Arthur, Richie, or another local host may lead the day, with time for the castle, gardens, Cork’s English Market, and St Colman’s Cathedral.

“Our driver, Michael, was courteous and VERY skilled at driving a big, comfortable, well equipped bus. Our guide, Richie, was very knowledgeable, patient, and friendly. It would have been helpful to know that the garden/grounds around Blarney Castle was very large. Our group of seniors would have done less exploring, and more bench sitting. The train ride was fun.Funbt”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Easy Access Blarney Stone and Castle Gardens Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 105 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $71

Walk through Blarney village, explore the castle grounds with guides such as Ann and Maryna, and try the famous Blarney Stone. Prebooked entry is included, but queues can still be long. The tour ends at Blarney Woollen Mills and requires steady walking over hills, stairs, and uneven ground.

“Mary was amazing! Very knowledgeable but not boring! The castle and my attempt at kissing the stone was fun, but the gardens were the real gem here!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.(Small Group) Shore Tour from Cork: Blarney Castle & Jameson Distillery

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 74 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $162

From Cobh, you’ll visit Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, and Jameson Distillery in Midleton before returning to your ship. Guides such as DJ, Joe, Tim, Tony, and Sean have led well-received departures, but confirm the vehicle and group size before booking.

“Poor - rating should be 0. A large bus arrived for a large group 31+ people with no explanation of what happened to the small group tour in a small van. No wifi, no water, no tour of the town or cathedral. We arrived and parked quite a distance from the Blarney Castle and had to walk about 15 minutes to stand in 1.5 hour line to get to the top. We were given no information on the Woolen Mills and by the time we walked back from the castle we needed to be on the bus. The distillery tour was great but overall a disappointing tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Blarney Castle Tour from Cork including Cobh

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 70 reviews · from $63Best value

Travel from Cork to Blarney Castle and Cobh in about five hours with Paddywagon Tours. Your driver-guide, including guides such as Brian or Patrick on some departures, provides commentary, while you explore the castle, gardens, cathedral, and harbor town independently.

“Very nice castle and the cute town of Cobh that have to be in your wish list. May be half an hour more would be nice, specially in the castle. The coming back was a little faster”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Tour Blarney Kinsale and Cobh Viator Badge of Excellence

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Spend about seven hours with local guide Derek O’Keeffe exploring Blarney Castle, its gardens, Blarney Woollen Mills, Kinsale, and Cobh. You travel privately in an executive sedan or minibus, with room to adjust the day around weather, interests, and cruise schedules.

“What a lovely experience and highly highly recommend! Derek was so knowledgeable and passionate about his country and even went out of his way to show us the gems you wouldn’t otherwise see on your own. We were there for 9/11 and he took us to the memorial garden that was erected for the fallen firefighters. It was beautiful. So if ever you see yourself headed to Ireland, I would definitely consider this, was the best decision we did to see the area. Thanks Derek!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Private Tour Blarney Kinsale & Cobh Awarded Badge of Excellence

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.)

Spend 6 to 7 flexible hours with local guide Darren exploring Blarney Castle, Kinsale, Old Head cliffs, the Ringfinnan 9/11 Remembrance Garden, and Cobh. Travel by air-conditioned taxi with pickup where requested. The group price covers up to four people, though three will be more comfortable.

“Darren was fantastic! Really enjoyed the At-your-own-pace experience. We saw a lot of the area around Cork. Darren was full of information and very welcoming. His “hospitality” and laid back approach was great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Private tour of, Blarney Castle, Cork City and Kinsale

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.)

Travel from Cobh with a private driver-guide such as Maurice Kenneally, Darren, Paul, or Larry. Visit Blarney Castle and gardens, Cork’s English Market, Kinsale’s lanes and seafood scene, then return to Cobh and your ship. The day can be adjusted to your pace and interests.

“We had a wonderful day on our private tour to Blarney Castle, Kinsale, Cork, and Cobh. Maurice was our driver and he was terrific. Most importantly, we were 1st in line at Blarney Castle, and that started our day off splendidly. We went straight up the stairs and our group was first to the Blarney Stone on top of the castle. On the way down, we visited all the remaining areas of the castle and could already see the line was at least an hour long wait. We roamed the gardens, saw the Blarney owners' house, and learned a lot of history. We ate lunch and walked a bit in…”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Easy Access – The Blarney Stone & Castle Gardens Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 31 reviews

Meet your English-speaking guide in Blarney Village for a 2.5-hour walk through the village, Blarney Castle, and its gardens. You will have timed entry, hear local stories from guides such as Anne, Maryna, Cass, and Karen, then finish at Blarney Woollen Mills.

“Cass was great. Enjoyed the information about what we were seeing and learning about the castle and country. Would recommend wish there was a fast pass to castle.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Blarney Castle Cork City and Jameson Distillery Small groups

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · from $247

From Cobh, visit Blarney Castle and its gardens, take a panoramic drive through Cork, then tour Midleton’s Jameson Distillery with a whiskey tasting. A guide such as Marysol or Conor handles the commentary, while the small group format helps keep the day moving.

“Tour guide was very informative and timely. Bus driver was very good also. Would of liked a little more time at castle.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Blarney Castle and Cork City 2025 award winning minibus tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Join local guide Sean Houlihan for a private five-hour minibus tour from Cork to Blarney Castle, the Blarney Stone, Woollen Mills, the English Market, and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Expect flexible timing, Irish history, hotel pickup options, and a strong chance to beat the castle queues by starting early.

“Driver was superb and very accommodating! He was able to share lots of local history with us. Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Shore Tour from Cork: Blarney, Kinsale & Cork

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 19 reviews · from $101

From Cobh or Ringaskiddy, you’ll ride an air-conditioned coach to Blarney Castle, Cork, and Kinsale. Castle admission and priority voucher entry are included. Guides such as Bryan, Brian, and Allan have earned praise for early arrivals, clear commentary, and useful Kinsale food tips.

“Bryan, our driver, got us to the Blarney Castle as one of the first buses to arrive. We reached the Blarney stone without a line up. Great job.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Cobh cruise excursion, Blarney, Cork & Kinsale. Car or Minibus.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews

Set out from your Cobh cruise ship with a private guide such as Brian or Tony Murphy. Visit Blarney Castle, Cork’s English Market, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Charles Fort, Kinsale, and St Colman’s Cathedral. Your route can adjust to weather, crowds, and your interests.

“Brian was a great tour guide. He showed us all the in’s and outs of the little towns that we visited.. this is exactly what we wanted. Terrific trip, which I would recommend to anyone Bob.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Full Day Private Tour of Jameson Whiskey, Blarney Castle & Cobh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews

Derek O’Keeffe, known as the Concierge of Cork, drives you by limousine from Cork City or Cobh to Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, Jameson Midleton, and Titanic-linked Cobh. Expect a private, customizable eight-hour day, with attraction tickets extra.

“Having a private guide/driver and exactly the itinerary we wanted with a couple of bonus stops. Derek was very knowledgeable and funny!”

Check availability →Read our full review