On this half-day tour with private transportation, you will be picked up at the port in a private, air-conditioned vehicle and see the highlights of Ireland’s second-largest city, Cork. Then you will be whisked away to Muckross House and Gardens, where you will enjoy the freedom to explore the impressive estate on your own.

After departing the ship in Cobh, you will drive to the city of Cork where you will have a driving orientation tour to view the main highlights of the city including the University, the City Hall and the South Mall. From Cork, you will drive west passing through the Irish market town of Macroom and on to the Gaeltacht village of Ballyvourney.

Continue towards Killarney Town where, upon arrival, you will visit Muckross House and Gardens, which has a beautiful location on Muckross Lake, (second largest of Killarney’s three lakes) & wonderful views of the Kerry Mountains as a backdrop. Muckross House is a 19th-century manor house and has two main themes, the environment of the National Park and the folklore of County Kerry in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Skilled craft workers carry on some of the traditional crafts of Kerry as their predecessors did in bygone days. The gardens informal in size, are noted for their fine collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, extensive water gardens and an outstanding rock garden of natural limestone. After visiting Muckross House you will proceed to Killarney where you will have free time to purchase lunch on your own in the town.

Following the break, you will drive up to Aghadoe Heights to view the Lakes of Killarney and the mountains in the distance. From here, you will begin the drive back to Cobh through the country roads of County Cork.

Check in at the old Victorian Cabh Railway Station, directly adjacent to the cruise pier, and climb aboard your train for a scenic rail journey from Great Island in Cork Harbour. Cabh is recognized as the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912. Titanic Experience Cábh is a themed attraction in the former White Star Line ticket office, plus more displays on the liner are in the Cobh Heritage Centre, which also explores how Cobh became an embarkation point during Ireland’s mass emigrations. North of town, you will pass by the huge Fota Wildlife Park, on Fota Island. Your train ride will cross onto the island of Fota, before finally reaching the mainland and the outskirts of Cork City.

Resting quite proudly on an island in the middle of the River Lee, Cork is comprised of decidedly great pubs with a thriving craft beer scene, museums, galleries, and the ever-present bohemian coffee houses. She might be a city, but you will feel as though you may be in one of the small local towns, where the pace is more laid back and nobody is in a hurry.

Your journey continues along the banks of the River Lee with views of Blackrock Castle before arriving into Cork Kent Station. Transfer by road to the magnificent Blarney Castle and Gardens where you have the opportunity to kiss the famous stone and thus acquire the gift of eternal eloquence. There is ample time allowed for shopping, exploring and lunch at Blarney Village upon your arrival.

Enjoy a Cork City tour before returning to Cábh to visit the fabulous Cábh Cathedral – St. Colman’s. St. Colman’s Cathedral is an exquisite gem of neo-Gothic architecture by the architects Pugin and Ashlin. It took 47 years to build, starting in 1868. In 1916 a Carillon of 42 bells was installed. The largest bell is 200 feet above the ground and weighs 3.6 tons. The cathedral organ, by Telford and Telford, contains 2,468 pipes. Before heading back to Cábh Harbour, visit Cábh cemetery and the mass graves of the Lusitania victims as well as that of the famous Jack Doyle.

Your final stop is the Cábh Heritage Centre. The Heritage Centre explores the themes of famine and emigration, as well as maritime histories of the Lusitania and the Titanic. The Lusitania was torpedoed nearby at the Old Head of Kinsale and the Titanic called Cábh its final port of call. Cábh was the embarkation point for generations of Irish emigrants to the new worlds, from the time of the famine to recent years.

Return to your ship at your leisure after your visit to the Heritage Centre as the pier is only a stroll away.

This tour offers various aspects of the south of Ireland seeing the main sights of Ireland’s second city with the experience of the fishing/sailing village of Kinsale and visiting the legendary village of Blarney with its famed castle.

As you begin, your guide will introduce to you Cobh which was the last sight of Ireland for so many people in the latter part of the 19th century when the Irish sought a new and “better” life in the “New World.” Your tour proceeds to Kinsale, approximately one hour’s drive, passing through the Lee Tunnel and a photo stop at Charles Fort.

During free time, enjoy a walk around the town of Kinsale with its very attractive harbor and yachting center.

Drive from Kinsale through rolling pasture lands to Cork City where you will view the main Cork City sights including the University, St Finbarr’s Cathedral and the City’s main streets. Free time will be taken for lunch on your own.

Continue to the village of Blarney, home to Blarney Castle – one of the most famous attractions in Ireland where the stone bestows the “gift of eloquence” to those who kiss it. The Blarney stone is housed on the summit of the ruin and is approached by climbing 100 steep steps. From the summit, one has fine vistas of parkland and Blarney House in the distance.

You will then have approximately one hour and 45 minutes of free time in Blarney to visit the castle, explore the village, or browse the well-stocked Blarney Woolen Mills shop. The shop houses a wide variety of quality Irish products including crystal, cashmere, crafts, candles, pottery, ceramics, and of course traditional woolen knits.

You will then return to Cobh via the Ring Road.