The 11 Best Shore Excursions Tours in Ireland

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”

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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.”

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3.Shore Excursion from Dublin: Including Dublin highlights and Glendalough

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 111 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $94

Travel from Dublin Port into Wicklow for Glendalough’s sixth-century monastery and two lakes, then see Dublin highlights and shop on Grafton Street. An English-speaking driver-guide handles transport, commentary, WiFi, and port return. Guides such as Connor, Alex, Ian, and JJ have earned especially warm praise.

“I don't recommend it as cruise shore excursion. It's a tender port and our arrival was delayed die to the weather, we are on 3rd tender boat of the ship, but they left us behind. Driver left in front of my eyes and refused to come back. It ruined our plans for Dublin.”

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4.Cruise Excursion Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Rail Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 101 reviews · from $36

Start at Dun Laoghaire port, collect your rail tickets, and ride to Pearse Station, opposite hop-on hop-off Stop 8. Live guides, multilingual audio, and one-day access cover Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Guinness, Phoenix Park, and more.

“Transportation from cruise port went well. Did not use hop on hop off bus in the city - just walked around central area.”

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5.Dublin Cruise Ship Shore Excursion|Hop-on Hop-off & Rail Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 90 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $46

Travel from Dun Laoghaire to central Dublin by DART train, then use a 24-hour DoDublin bus ticket to reach Trinity College, Guinness, Dublin Castle, Kilmainham, and more. Live guides such as Gary, Gareth, Mary, and Mark add local color, while a map and Little Museum visit help you plan your short stay.

“Dart train was easy to get to and found HOHO bus was right across the street. Only issue was with the buses, which is true of all so no knock on the tour company, was as the day wore on the seating became harder to find, especially the upper deck as many never got off. Otherwise, a great way to see the overview of the city.”

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6.Dublin Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 89 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $32Best value

See Dublin from an open-top sightseeing bus with a 24 or 48-hour pass, live English commentary, and audio guides in six languages. Board near Trinity College or any working stop, then hop off for Guinness, Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park, Jameson, museums, and the city’s classic sights.

“Easy way to get around to the top spots in Dublin. Many stops and easy access. Very effective for tourists”

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7.Full-Day Shore Excursion for cruise ships to Killybegs, Donegal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $155

This 6 to 7-hour Chieftain Tours outing links Donegal Castle, the Franciscan Abbey, Donegal town, Muckross Head, and Sliabh Liag cliffs. Guides such as Kevin, Brian, Joe, and Seamus add local stories, music, and practical help, while smaller vehicles reach coastal roads larger coaches cannot.

“A really nice way to see the area. The time management was good at the various stops. Our guide was excellent. Easy to find them getting off the cruise ship.”

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8.Dublin Shore Excursion, Live Guided Open-top, Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

See Dublin from an open-top bus on a live-guided route linking Trinity College, Temple Bar, Guinness, Phoenix Park, and more. Drivers such as David and Michel have earned praise for their storytelling. Choose 24 or 48 hours, with selected tickets adding a walking tour, night tour, and one free child ticket.

“MICHEL the BEST driver and the sweetest person and the greatest storyteller in the whole world!!! The experience was wonderful”

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9.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.”

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10.Guided Shared Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6 reviews · from $153

Travel by luxury Mercedes van or air-conditioned coach from Cobh or Ringaskiddy to Blarney Castle, Cork, Kinsale, and Cobh. You’ll kiss the Blarney Stone, browse Blarney Woolen Mills, see Kinsale’s forts, and return to your ship on schedule.

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11.Boyne Valley, Meath – Private Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.)

This private 7 to 9 hour Boyne Valley outing takes you from Dublin to Hill of Tara, Newgrange, Slane, Monasterboice, Trim Castle, and possibly Slane Whiskey Distillery. Your English-speaking driver-guide may be Aidan, Tommy, or Liam. Newgrange requires special attention to ticket availability.

“Tommy M. Made for an amazing day seeing the gorgeous sites of Ireland within 90 minutes of Dublin. We had the most fantastic time with him as he told so many stories of the country. I couldn’t recommend this tour more. Cheers to Tommy! Best. Day.ever!”

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