A Seamless Morning of Heritage, Legends, and Luxury Shopping. Starts at 08:00, ends by 12:45.
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This tour is a bestseller and is likely to sell out. We recommend securing tickets at least 24 hours in advance where possible.
Overview
Departing directly from the Cobh Cruise Terminal, our morning half day "Blarney & Cork City" shore excursion offers a sophisticated alternative to standard ship tours, blending priority access to Ireland’s most iconic landmarks with the comfort of a premium, guided experience.
Why Cruise Passengers Choose This Experience:
Priority Arrival: We depart at 08:00 to ensure you arrive at Blarney Castle ahead of the large touring groups, offering a more serene experience of the estate’s 15th-century battlements and world-famous Poison Gardens.
All-Inclusive Value: To ensure an effortless morning, your €23.00 admission fee is fully pre-paid. While others wait in line to purchase tickets at the gate, our guests enjoy immediate entry to the castle and the legendary Blarney Stone.
Expert Narratives: Beyond the scenery, our guides share the deep-rooted connections between Cork and the United States—from the revolutionary history of Michael Collins to the ancestral home of Henry Ford.
Premier Shopping: Experience the Blarney Woollen Mills, the world’s largest Irish store. Enjoy an exclusive opportunity for tax-free shopping on luxury Irish woollens, Waterford Crystal, and artisan crafts.
Guaranteed Return "Back for lunch": We prioritize your schedule, ensuring you are back at the Cobh dockside by 12:45, leaving you ample time for lunch and relaxation on board before your ship departs.
Arrivals confirmed by cruise lines and / or Cork Port Authority so far:
3 Apr 2026 – Viking Vela
7 Apr 2026 – Viking Neptune
13 Apr 2026 - AIDAluna
15 Apr 2026 – Viking Neptune
18 Apr 2026 - Ambience
19 Apr 2026 – Majestic Princess
24 Apr 2026 – Ambition
30 Apr 2026 - Majestic Princess
05 May 2026 - Seabourn Ovation
10 May 2026 – Viking Sky
11 May 2026 – Celebrity Eclipse
12 May 2026 – Nieuw Statendam
12 May 2026 – MSC Preziosa
13 May 2026 – Majestic Princess
13 May 2026 - Spirit of Adventure
19 May 2026 – AIDAsol
20 May 2026 - Balmoral
22 May 2026 - Ambience
23 May 2026 - Deutschland
23 May 2026 – Norwegian Sky
24 May 2026 – Majestic Princess
27 May 2026 - Arcadia
28 May 2026 – Viking Sky
31 May 2026 - Norwegian Sky
02 Jun 2026 - Spirit of Discovery
02 Jun 2026 - Bolette
04 Jun 2026 - Celebrity Silhouette
04 Jun 2026 - Insignia
4 Jun 2026 – Viking Vela
5 Jun 2026 – Norwegian Sky
5 Jun 2026 – Carnival Legend
6 Jun 2026 – Majestic Princess
7 Jun 2026 – Viking Sky
7 June 2026 - Spirit of Discovery
8 Jun 2026 - MSC Virtuosa
9 Jun 2026 – Norwegian Sky
9 Jun 2026 – Viking Saturn
10 Jun 2026 – Oceania Marina
10 Jun 2026 - Nieuw Statendam
12 Jun 2026 – Viking Vela
16 Jun 2026 - Star Pride
17 Jun 2026 – Oceania Vista
17 Jun 2026 – Viking Saturn
19 Jun 2026 - Queen Anne
20 Jun 2026 - Crown Princess
21 Jun 2026 – Viking Mira
26 Jun 2026 – Norwegian Sky
26 Jun 2026 - Ambition Ambassador Cruises
30 Jun 2026 - Seabourn Ovation
30 Jun 2026 - Seven Seas Grandeur
30 Jun 2026 – Norwegian Sky
5 Jul 2026 - Britannia
7 Jul 2026 – Celebrity Eclipse
10 Jul 2026 – AIDAbella
11 Jul 2026 – Viking Jupiter
12 Jul 2026 - Ambience
12 Jul 2026 – Majestic Princess
14 Jul 2026 - Fred Olsen Borealis
15 Jul 2026 - Silver Spirit
16 Jul 2026 - Mein Schiff 2
16 Jul 2026 - Spirit of Discovery
16 Jul 2026 – Viking Saturn
17 Jul 2026 - Norwegian Sky
18 Jul 2026 – Viking Vela
20 Jul 2026 - Spirit of Discovery
21 Jul 2026 - AIDAsol
22 Jul 2026 – Viking Mira
22 Jul 2026 - Nieuw Statendam
23 Jul 2026 - Majestic Princess
25 Jul 2026 – Viking Saturn
25 Jul 2026 - Aurora
28 Jul 2026 - Seabourn Ovation
29 Jul 2026 - Crystal Serenity
31 Jul 2026 - Mein Schiff 3
2 Aug 2026 - Carnival Legend
2 Aug 2026 – Viking Sky
2 Aug 2026 – Carnival Legend
3 Aug 2026 - Spirit of Adventure
4 Aug 2026 – Celebrity Eclipse
7 Aug 2026 - Queen Anne
7 Aug 2026 - MS Vista
7 Aug 2026 – Norwegian Sky
7 Aug 2026 – Oceania Vista
9 Aug 2026 - Seven Seas Voyager
10 Aug 2026 - Azamara Quest
11 Aug 2026 – Majestic Princess
13 Aug 2026 - Oceania Insignia
15 Aug 2026 - Artania
15 Aug 2026 – Norwegian Sky
15 Aug 2026 - Star Legend
17 Aug 2026 – Majestic Princess
19 Aug 2026 - Arcadia
22 Aug 2026 - Spirit of Discovery
22 Aug 2026 – Viking Sky
22 Aug 2026 – Carnival Legend
25 Aug 2026 - Sapphire Princess
28 Aug 2026 - Spirit of Discovery
28 Aug 2026 – Viking Saturn
28 Aug 2026 – Majestic Princess
30 Aug 2026 - Seven Seas Voyager
30 Aug 2026 – Viking Sky
31 Aug 2026 - Sky Princess
31 Aug 2026 – Oceania Vista
02 sep 2026 – Oceania Marina
1 Sep 2026 – AIDAsol
2 Sep 2026 - MS Marina
2 Sep 2026 – Nieuw Statendam
4 Sep 2026 - Borealis
4 Sep 2026 – Viking Jupiter
5 Sep 2026 – Viking Saturn
5 Sep 2026 – MSC Preziosa
7 Sep 2026 - Ambience
8 Sep 2026 - Spirit of Adventure
8 Sep 2026 - Explora 1
9 Sep 2026 - Majestic Princess
10 Sep 2026 – Viking Vela
11 Sept 2026 - Borealis
12 Sep 2026 - Disney Dream
13 Sep 2026 - Spirit of Adventure
13 Sep 2026 – Viking Jupiter
14 Sep 2026 - World Voyager
16 Sep 2026 - Silver Dawn
17 Sep 2026 – Oceania Marina
18 Sep 2026 – Viking Vela
21 Sep 2026 - Majestic Princess
22 Sep 2026 – Viking Mira
24 Sep 2026 - Seven Seas Grandeur
25 Sep 2026 – Viking Saturn
29 Sep 2026 - World Voyager
30 Sep 2026 - Virtuosa
2 Oct 2026 - Majestic Princess
14 Oct 2026 - Ambition
15 Oct 2026 – Norwegian Sun
16 Oct 2026 - Virtuosa
If you do not see a tour scheduled for the ship and date you are traveling upon - please contact us - and we may decide to schedule a tour if there is likely to be enough demand.
With a free cancellation option up to 24 hours before departure you can book with confidence. Lock in your seats (any date for spring / summer 2026) at the early bird rate today.
Pick-up Points
We collect passengers from the cruise ship at 07:30 for departure at 08:00. Where your ship docks later than 07:30 the tour will begin 30 minutes after disembarkation commences. - Cobh (Cork) Cruise Ship Terminal
We collect passengers from the cruise ship at 07:30 for departure at 08:00. Where your ship docks later than 07:30 the tour will begin 30 minutes after disembarkation commences. - Ringaskiddy Cruise Ship Terminal
Itinerary
Tour Begins At Cobh Cruise Terminal
Look forward to an effortless start and warm Irish welcome as you step off your cruise ship.
Simply exit the ship, turn right, and look for our guide stationed by the pedestrian gate. We begin gathering guests at 07:30, aiming for an 08:00 departure.
Our goal is to beat the rush and get you to Blarney before the lines get long.
Your first destination is historic Blarney, home to Ireland’s most famous castle.
Immerse yourself in the legend as you lean back to kiss the magical Blarney Stone.
Your climb to the battlements atop the castle is rewarded by stunning views over the best farmland in Europe - you'll certainly know what Johnny Cash was singing about in Forty Shades of Green.
To ensure your morning is stress-free, we have included your admission ticket in the tour price, allowing you to bypass the kiosks and save EUR 23.00.
Following your castle visit, perhaps enjoy browsing the Blarney Woollen Mills. This flagship location is a treasure trove of Irish heritage, offering premium tax-free shopping on authentic woollens, crystal, and crafts.
Depart Blarney at 11:15 approx.
Cork City Highlights Tour
Leaving the castle grounds, we embark on a scenic panoramic drive through Cork City, referred to by locals as Ireland’s "real capital"!
As we traverse the banks of the River Lee, you will view architectural gems such as gothic St. Finbarre's Cathedral, iconic Shandon Bells, and historic English Market.
Cork is a city of rich heritage and famous sons; from the revolutionary Michael Collins who founded the Irish Republican Army and negotiated independence from the United Kingdom to modern sporting hero Roy Keane, legendary captain of Manchester United. Notably for our American guests, this city is also ancestral home of the man who put the world on wheels: Henry Ford.
Back for lunch!
We'll have you back dockside for 12:45.
Look forward lunch, refreshments and an afternoon of rest on board your cruise ship!
Thank you for choosing this morning half day shore excursion with Paddywagon Tours - we wish you a wonderful onward cruise!
Private Tours
Why not request a Private Hire Quote? We offer sedans, MPVs, vans and coaches to travel privately in style. Best Rate Guarantee!
Times are approximate and depend on various conditions such as traffic, weather conditions or other circumstances outside our control.
Ticket
You will receive your ticket (featuring your booking number) via email immediately at time of booking. There is no need to print the ticket. If you wish, you can simply show it on your phone or tablet.
Free Cancellation
With a free cancellation option up to 24 hours before departure you can book with confidence. Lock in your seats (any date for spring / summer 2026) at the early bird rate today.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour's start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour's start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour's start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the local time in Ireland.
This tour is exclusively in English.