Blarney Castle, Kilkenny & Irish Whiskey
3 day tour

  • Glendalough
  • Horses Kilkenny tours
  • Kilkenny Castle
  • Blarney Castle
  • Blarney Castle

Unearth Ireland’s most unspoilt corner on this tour of beautiful beaches and ancient local history.

Tour map

Tour Highlights

Mountains
Abbeys
Castles
Beaches
National Parks
Distilleries

Blarney Castle - Kiss the famed Blarney Stone amidst the walls of this impressive medieval stronghold.

Midleton (Jameson) Whiskey Distillery* - Taste one of Ireland's favourite exports.

West Cork coves and beaches - Stroll sandy beaches and dip into the stunning coves that line the coast.

Kinsale - Dive into this colourful port town, and discover a feast for the eyes and tastebuds.

Cobh and the Titanic - Delve into the mystery and history of this coastal town, the last port of call for Irish emigrants on the famous ship’s ill fated voyage.

Waterford - Set forth for tales of conquest and pillage in Ireland’s oldest city, founded by 9th century Vikings.

Kilkenny Castle - Survey the dominant and unmistakeable three walled castle whilst roaming its splendid grounds.

Wicklow Mountains - Soar to Ireland’s most impressive peaks then dive into its profound valleys.

Glendalough - Be awed by the “Valley of the Lakes”. Wander its wildly beautiful trails or explore the renowned monastery with its rounded tower.

 

Your journey

 

Unspoilt coasts blend into rocky shores and ancient buildings in Ireland’s south east corner.

Sip fine Irish beer in a quality local pub, sample seafood straight from the ocean, and uncover the mysteries of ancient Irish ruins.

This tour takes you to the heart of an Ireland rarely seen by visitors.

 

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 07:45 (tour departs at 08:00) - Dublin Nassau Street Pick Up, Opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin,
Finishes (approx.)
18:30 - Dublin Nassau Street Drop Off, Opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin,
Luggage
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

Important information
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Access to distillery production areas may not be possible
  • Some distilleries offer tutored tastings instead of tours
  • Distilleries may be substituted
  • Some attraction tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your tour. You’ll have the option to add at check-out. Other attractions will not be available to book beforehand, instead you can purchase those while on tour.
Tour inclusions
  • All road tolls and the Killimer - Tarbet ferry
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
Tour exclusions
  • Tour accommodation
  • Attraction entry tickets

Itinerary

Day 1

  • Wander the heritage town of Cahir and its impressive castle
  • Kiss the Blarney Stone in the grounds of Blarney Castle
  • Savour the sights and sounds of Kinsale, a fishing village well known for its charming beauty

Departing Dublin, you travel south towards Cork, through the lush farming counties of Kildare, Laois and Tipperary. Our first stop is the heritage town of Cahir, where its impressive castle towers over an island in the River Suir.

You continue to Blarney, on the outskirts of Cork, where you have time to wander the castle grounds and go for a woodland stroll. You may even get a chance to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and receive the ‘gift of the gab’!

After this, you visit the Midleton (Jameson) Whiskey Distillery*. Here you have a chance to learn the history, find out how the drink is made, and taste a little yourself.

In the afternoon, you glide along the beautiful coastline south of Cork before arriving in Kinsale. This charming little fishing village is your overnight stop, with all its local restaurants and lively pubs. Enjoy your free evening whilst exploring the narrow streets and brightly coloured houses.

*Jameson Whiskey Distillery has rebranded and is now called Midleton Whiskey Distillery.

Day 2

  • See where the Titanic made its last fateful port of call before its ill-fated maiden voyage
  • Follow the rugged “Copper Coast” to Waterford, Ireland’s most ancient city
  • Discover Ireland’s Viking heritage or marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship in the famous Waterford Crystal factory

Leaving Kinsale in the morning, you make your way to the historic port town of Cobh. This was the last port of call for the Titanic on its infamous maiden voyage. After exploring the stories of Ireland’s past, you head east along the Copper Coast, a UNESCO Geopark famed for its beauty and intricate histories.

You continue until you reach Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city founded by Vikings in the 9th century. Survey the brilliant craftsmanship at the Waterford Crystal factory, explore the selection of superb museums or wander the Viking Triangle on foot.

In the late afternoon, you travel north from Waterford to Kilkenny. This town is a vibrant place with a thriving pub and restaurant culture. After spending the evening here you’re certain to understand why people voted it Ireland’s friendliest city.

Day 3

  • Roam Kilkenny Castle and its impressive craft centres
  • Traverse the Wicklow Mountains and the majestic national park, known as “the Garden of Ireland”
  • Witness the ancient structures of Glendalough, from the distinct high crosses to the 6th century monastic site

In the morning, you have free time to explore the attractions of Kilkenny.

You then head north into the Wicklow Mountains, where you’ll be impressed by the National Park’s steep granite mountains.

You follow the winding paths to Glendalough, site of an awe-inspiring 6th century monastery. This offers a perfect opportunity to capture a photograph of the verdant natural setting and the round tower of the monastery. After this, you head through the centre of the National Park to cross the famous Sally Gap, before descending the short distance back to Dublin.

*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Attractions

Tour Attractions

You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:

  • Jameson Whiskey Distillery*

Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.

*For tours departing after 1st April 2024, you will visit Midleton Whiskey Distillery instead of Jameson Whiskey Distillery.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay one night in Kinsale and one night in Kilkenny.

 

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.

Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

 

Approximate prices, per person per night

Overnight Location

 

Sole Occupancy

Multiple Occupancy

 

(1 person per room)

(2+ people per room)

B&B Standard

£80 - £120

£60 - £80

UK & Northern Ireland

€80 - €120

€60 - €80

Ireland

B&B En-suite

£100 - £145

£55 - £95

UK & Northern Ireland

€100 - €145

€55 - €100

Ireland

Hotel

£110 - £190

£75 - £150

UK & Northern Ireland

€130 - €235

€75 - €150

Ireland

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

FAQs

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.

For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure

For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure

For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure

For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.

If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.

To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.

Click here to view terms and conditions

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .


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