Award-Winning Private Tour of Blarney Castle, Kinsale and Cork
Description
Summary
Description
Delve further into the best offerings of Ireland with this Award-Winning Private Tour of Blarney Castle, Kinsale and Cork. Let this private tour serve as your gateway to an unforgettable time in Cobh, offering convenience, safety, and smooth transitions.
The entire activity lasts around 7 hours and is a great addition to any travel itinerary in Cobh. Previous travelers have rated this trip & excursion an average of 5 out of 5 stars in 34 reviews.
Throughout this experience, you’ll be guided through Blarney Woollen Mills and Kinsale. The itinerary includes stops at popular attractions such as Cobh Heritage Centre (The Queenstown Story) and Blarney Castle & Gardens.
Throughout the experience, a knowledgeable expert will guide you, offering valuable insights and information. The activity is offered in 1 language: English, welcoming English speakers of all levels.
The starting point for this full-day tour is located in Cobh. The exact address is Kilgarvan, Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland. The endpoint of the tour is located at Kilgarvan, Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Reservations for this activity can be made for up to 8 individuals per booking. We recommend you review the "Included" and/or "Good to know" sections below for more details about the experience.
The cancellation policy for this experience is as follows: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Make your time in Cobh special by booking this private tour. Select a date and complete your reservation before it gets fully booked!
Included
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Options
Pickup included
Pickup included
Good to know
Verified reviews
daniellesD4379DF
Derek was prompt in pickup and kept us on schedule the entire day. However, we never felt rushed and were able to explore everything as promised plus a few extra little gems. Derek is thorough in his knowledge of Ireland and history. There wasn’t a question that he didn’t k ow the answer to…he is an Ireland history buff. He was also personable, easy to talk to and quite a hoot…kept us laughing throughout the trip. We definitely recommend this tour and his expert tour guide service!
PrivateToursCork
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure showing you around Blarney Castle, Kinsale, and Cork. I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the experience—and that we even managed to squeeze in a few extra stops along the way! Sharing Ireland’s history and little-known gems is truly my passion, and I’m glad you found it engaging and entertaining.
The laughter and good company definitely made the day even better for me as well. Thank you for recommending my tours, and I hope to welcome you back to Ireland for another adventure someday!
Kind Regards,
Derek O’Keeffe
Go54917848746
We had an awesome experience on our private tour with Derek. Worth every penny. Derek did a fantastic job showing us all the sites and picking out a special place for us to have lunch. We highly recommend him if you're in the area and want to get the most out of a "day tour". Being a long time resident of Cork, Derek was very knowledgeable of the area, its history & sites. The views were spectacular!
PrivateToursCork
Wow, your kind words really made my day! It was an absolute pleasure spending the day with you all, exploring the beauty of Blarney Castle, Kinsale and Cork. Sharing my love for this county with enthusiastic people like yourselves is what makes this job so rewarding.
I'm delighted you enjoyed the lunch spot – I always try to find those hidden gems that offer delicious food and a true taste of local life. And those views? Spectacular indeed! Nothing beats seeing the Irish countryside unfold before your eyes.
It means a lot to me that you appreciated my knowledge of the area. Cork has been my home for so long, and its history and stories are close to my heart.
Thank you again for your wonderful review. It was a genuine pleasure meeting you, and I truly hope our paths cross again someday.
Warmly Regards,
Derek O'Keeffe
Private Tours Cork
danawP5937RW
An amazing day! Derek showed us a true Irish experience! He was knowledgeable, engaging and gave excellent recommendations for restaurants and shopping! Thank you Derek for sharing your Ireland with us!
The Wilson's from Georgia, US
Tell Jerry Lee hello for us!
PrivateToursCork
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure spending the day with you and sharing some of my favourite parts of Ireland. I'm so glad you enjoyed the experience and found it to be a "true Irish experience".
I always strive to provide a personalised and memorable tour for my guests, and I'm delighted that you appreciated my knowledge and recommendations.
I hope you have wonderful memories of your time in our amazing country, and I wish you safe travels for the remainder of your vacation in Ireland!
Warm Regards
Derek O’Keeffe
Owner, Private Tours Cork
conniebR7422DU
Derrick was a very professional, informative, and pleasant guide today. Not only did we visit wonderful sights, but we also had the privilege of meeting wonderful people such as Derrick and other folks along the way.
This part of Ireland is very beautiful and Derrick made it possible to see it and it’s people. His choice of a lunch location was some of the best food we have ever had.
PrivateToursCork
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review! It was an absolute pleasure having you on the tour, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the experience.
I'm delighted you found the sights and the people we met along the way to be so memorable. It's always my goal to provide a truly authentic and enjoyable Irish experience, and your feedback confirms that we achieved that. I'm especially pleased you enjoyed the lunch stop - good food is definitely a highlight of any trip!
Thank you again for choosing Private Tours Cork. I hope you have wonderful memories of your time in Ireland, and I hope to welcome you back on another tour someday!
Warm Regards,
Derek O’Keeffe
Owner, Private Tours Cork
Sally_N
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!
PrivateToursCork
Reading your review brought a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. It was an absolute privilege to share the beauty and history of Cork with you, especially during a time of such profound reflection.
Moments like our visit to the memorial garden are etched in my memory, a testament to the shared humanity that binds us all, even across continents and cultures. Your kind words mean the world to me, and I'm truly touched that you felt a connection to Ireland through our journey together.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing Private Tours Cork, and for sharing your experience so beautifully. I hope our paths cross again someday, and until then, may the spirit of Ireland stay with you always.
With warmest regards,
Derek O’Keeffe
Owner, Private Tours Cork
E7246XZkathleens
This tour was most definitely the best excursion me and my sisters took on our 10-day cruise! Derek was amazing! So personable, knowledgeable and engaging. We spent hours together (that seemed to go by too fast!) as he shared interesting stories and history along the way. Wasn't until our tour ended that we realized he actually owned the tour company! Definitely would sign up with him on our next trip!
PrivateToursCork
Your kind review truly touched my heart. It was an absolute joy spending time with you and your sisters, sharing the stories and hidden gems of Cork. Those hours flew by, filled with laughter and connection, and I'm so honored you chose us for your special trip. It means the world to me that you enjoyed the experience, and I can't wait to welcome you back to Cork for another unforgettable adventure! - Derek O’Keeffe, Owner, Private Tours Cork
mkaff2002
Derek met us at the pier and was parked about 50 feet away. How nice! He drove us all over Cobh and to Blarney Castle, the woolen mills and to Kinsale. During the drive, we had great views of the Irish countryside and wonderful commentary about everything we saw and a brief history of Ireland. I would definetly recommend using his services!
PrivateToursCork
It was an absolute joy sharing those special moments with you, from the rolling hills to the historic sites. Your enthusiasm made the journey even more memorable. Ireland's beauty shines brighter with guests like you! I cherish the connection we made and can't wait to welcome you back to explore more of this enchanting land whenever your travels bring you here again.
Warm regards,
Derek O’Keeffe
Private Tours Cork
Sharon_D
Our tour guide and driver, Derek, met us at the port of Cobh. Unfortunately the weather was against us and the rain was pouring down. He therefore advised us to go to Kinsale first in the hope the weather would brighten up. We had morning tea with scones in The Blue Haven (delicious) and the made our way to the dramatic coastline to experience beautiful scenery. We visited the Lusitania Museum and Old Head Signal Tower which was very moving and gave us time to reflect and remember with respect those lives lost and changed by such an awful event. Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance a place to remember 343 firefighters perished in 9/11 was our next stop - very quiet, overwhelming and beautiful. Then a tour of Cork visiting the cathedrals, the cities oldest sweet shop, the ‘Four Faced Liar’ and finally the obligatory glass of Murphy’s. What an amazing day, Derek is a great guy and a friend for life. If you are going to Cork you must do this tour with this guide - you will love it!
PrivateToursCork
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind review! I'm absolutely delighted to hear that you had such an amazing day exploring Cork with me, despite the initial rainy weather.
It was my pleasure to guide you through Kinsale, share the stories of the Lusitania and 9/11, and then show you the highlights of Cork city. Your company was a joy, and it truly felt like we've been friends for years by the end of the day.
I'm so grateful that you took the time to share your experience and recommend my tours. It means the world to me! I hope our paths cross again someday, and in the meantime, I wish you many more happy travels.
Regards,
Derek O’Keeffe
Elaine_K
What a fantastic tour! We were met by Dereck, and knew we were in for a great time. He showed us all the highlights of Cork and then some. He was very knowledgeable about the areas we visited. This included the Blarney Castle, Kinsale, and the Cobh Cathedral. The line to kiss the Blarney stone was over 1.5 hours so we skipped it and spent the time walking around the grounds. We were not disappointed as the grounds are beautiful and worth seeing. Dereck was also very accommodating to things we wanted to see and took us to a great place for lunch. Be prepared for a once in a lifetime experience.
PrivateToursCork
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! It was a pleasure exploring Cork and its surroundings with you. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the sights, especially the beautiful grounds of Blarney Castle. I'm always happy to personalize tours to create that "once-in-a-lifetime" experience for my guests. I hope to welcome you back to Cork again someday! - Derek
apL1455SB
The views were amazing! We took so many photos. Our guide Derek made our day wonderful with his knowledge, kindness, and gracious hospitality. We enjoyed the gardens of Blarney Castle, had a FABULOUS meal in Kinsale, and took in the beautiful Irish countryside. Derek made sure we had plenty of time for coffee breaks and photo stops. Today, I got to see the Ireland of my dreams. Thank you, Derek!!!
PrivateToursCork
Dear Allyn,
Thank you for sharing your experience! It brings me great joy to hear that you had a wonderful time exploring Blarney Castle, Kinsale, and the Irish countryside. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the stunning views and found inspiration for so many photos.
It means the world to me that you appreciated my knowledge and hospitality. It was an absolute pleasure to guide you through Ireland's beauty and ensure you had a comfortable and memorable journey.
I'm glad I could make your dream of experiencing Ireland come true. Thank you for choosing Private Tours Cork and for your kind words.
Warm regards,
Derek,
Owner, Private Tours Cork.
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