Cork Day Tours

TOUR A - Blarney Castle & Museum, Cork City & English Market, Cobh, Kinsale

BLARNEY CASTLE

Built in 1446 Blarney Castle is a world famous landmark and one of the prettiest setting in Ireland. Legend has it kissing the Blarney Stone gives you the Irish ‘Gift of the Gab”. Not for the faint hearted, the Blarney Stone juts out from the castle’s parapet, but for many, the gift of eloquence is well worth the risk, just ask your guide! Explore historical Blarney village, with its array of quaint shops and restaurants.

CORK CITY

Your tour takes a 2 hour lunch break in Cork, the city that sits on an island of the River Lee and has a fascinating history at the heart of the rebel county. Enjoy a bite to eat at the famous English Market, one of the highlights on Queen Elizabeth II of England’s state visit to Ireland in 2011. Or Visit Saint Finbarr’s Gothic Cathedral, one of the Victorian architect, William Burges, finest works.

ENGLISH MARKET

Cork’s most famous food market was opened in 1788 but only became popular in the 1990’s with Irish people becoming more adventurous about food. A new interest inorganic and locally produced food provided fresh opportunities for traders. The English Market is now one of Corks main attractions and is used extensively by locals and tourists a like. Showcasing local and traditional produce on critically-acclaimed plates of food, the Farmgate Restaurant in the gallery of Princes Street Market opened in 1994 Shaping it’s menu from the finest of produce on sale from the stalls below, the Farmgate encapsulates the very essence of the values that have sustained the English Market across four centuries.

COBH

On arrival at Cóbh we will visit St Colman’s Cathedral. We will then proceed down along the seafront passing the former White Star Line offices en route to the beautifully restored Victorian railway station/transatlantic terminal. This is now the Cóbh Heritage Centre, home to the Queenstown Story. The centre also houses much information about the Great Famine and subsequent Irish Emigration; 3 million Irish people emigrated from Cóbh, (principally to the United States) including Annie Moore, whose statue is located in front of the heritage centre.

Offering the most comprehsive and professional scheduled half day tour to Blarney or full day to Blarney/Kinsale includes fast track admission to Blarney Castle and Gardens, Executive Choice Chauffeur is by far the best value for money for quality limousine excursion you will find.

Based here in Cork, our tours are run by Executive Choice Chauffeur, which will provide modern air conditoned luxury limousines coupled with top class experienced driver/guides giving fascinating running commentary with great in-depth local knowledge, lots of interesting facts, stories, jokes and maybe even a song or two!

Our full day tour itinerary is normally 8 hours and our half day tour itinerary is normally 5 hours but this can be tailored to suit your scehdule/times should the need arise. We promise to deliver to you an experience you will always remember. See our itinerary for full details on our tour day.

KINSALE

Kinsale is a historic port and fishing town in County Cork, which also has significant military history. The town is compact with a quaint sir of antiquity in the narrow streets and has plenty of choice of art galleries and unique restaurants.

Famous for its harbour in Kinsale, the favourable mild climate and its safe harbour make Kinsale the ideal sport for yachting, sea angling, Dolphin & Whale Watching Trips, gourmet restaurants and golf

SCHEDULE

9am – Pick up at Hotel

9.30am – Visit Blarney Castle and Museum

11.30am – Leave Blarney Castle and head toward the Beautiful Cork City to visit The English Market

1pm – Lunch Break at one our recommended restaurants. Personal Tour Guides Books table for customers

2pm – Visit Cobh

3.30pm – Visit Kinsale and have afternoon tea with a sea view

5pm – Return to Accommodation

TOUR C - Blarney Castle, Toy Soldier Factory, Macroom Buffalo Farm and Toon Bridge Dairy Cafe

BLARNEY CASTLE

TOY SOLIDER FACTORY

We bring you to see the fascinating Toy Soldier Factory where guests are given a demonstration of how figures are cast.there is no face Machines or actors, all Tin Soldiers are cast in the same way that they have been in the 17th Century. The workshops are hugely popular with both adults and children with all visitors unleashing a world of creativity. Previous visitors have enjoyed the New Battle of Waterloo Exhibition. Step through the doors into the world of historical combat and witness the jaw dropping show room filling New Battle of Waterloo Exhibit.

MACROOM BUFFALO FARM

The Macroom Buffulo Farm began back in October 2009 when Johnny purchased 31 Buffaloes from Italy and started the first milking herd of Buffalo in Ireland. The Farm now consists of over 200 animals on 150 acre farm based in Cill na Martra near Macroom in County Cork.

Guest are also encouraged to taste the delicious Macroom Buffalo Mozzarela which is made from fresh buffalo milk produced on the farm which is turned into cheese and dispatched that same day.

TOON BRIDGE DAIRY CAFE

Toons Bridge is the name of the hamlet deep in the countryside just outside the town of Macroom. It’s a pretty spot, taking its name from the little stone bridge that runs over the famous River Lee, which starts in Gougane Barra as a small mountain stream, runs through the countryside here by Macroom, gathering pace, width and depth, as it flows through Cork City centre.

The toon bridge dairy caste was established in 2011 in an old creamery building in the historic artisan food area of West Cork. Toon Bridge Dairy specialises in Southern Mediterranean style cheeses but has broadened their range to Cacciocavallo, Ricotta, Smoken Scamorza and Halloumi.

SCHEDULE

9am – Pick up at Hotel

9.30am – Visit Blarney Castle and Museum

11.30am – Leave Blarney Castle and head towards Macroom (approx. 40 mins drive)

12.30 pm – Lunch In one of our recommended Macroom Restaurants

2pm – Visit The Highly recommended Toy Soldier Factory

3.30pm – Visit the famous Macroom Buffulo Farm and taste its delicious Buffulo Mozzerala

4.30pm – Late Afternoon tea in Toon Bridge Dairy Café

5.30pm – Return to Accommodation

TOUR E - Lee Valley Taste Trails, Macroom Food Heritage Tour, Gougane Barra, Johnny Lynch's Buffulo Farm

LEE VALLEY TASTE TRAILS

Guests can also partake in a Lee Valley Taste Trail which includes a meeting with with award winning artisan producers and a tour of rich heritage and cultural environments. Guests can relax and and enjoy a personal insight into this beautiful and vibrant Ireland. The Lee Valley Taste Trails have two distinctive trail itineraries which both take you on a leisurely tour around the rich and fertile river valley and we give you an informative snapshot of the area.

GOUGANE BARRA

During your visit, you’ll explore the traces of the hermitage at Gougane Barra where St. Finbarr lived. The beautiful chapel built in his memory on a small island on the still lake, known as St. Finbarr’s Oratory, is one of the most magical places to get married in Ireland. The oratory is set against the stunning backdrop of the lake and West Cork’s beautiful Caha mountains. It’s a wonderful spot to engage with Ireland’s fascinating past and gorgeous scenery, and a visit here offers the traveller a moment of peace that will enrich the soul.

SCHEDULE

9am – Pick up at Hotel

10.30am – Visit Lee Valley Taste Trails and get personal guide with Macroom Food Heritage Tour

1pm – Lunch Break at one our recommended restaurants in Macroom. Personal Tour Guides Books table for customers

2pm – Visit Gougane Barra

3pm – Visit Johnny Lynch’s Buffalo Farm and taste the delicious Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese

4.30pm – Return to Cork City and have afternoon tea in one of the Award Winning Restaurants

5.30pm – Return to accommodation

TOUR B - Blarney Castle, Cork City, Rock of Cashel

BLARNEY CASTLE

CORK CITY

ROCK OF CASHEL

Your day tour continues on to the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most spectacular archaeological sites. Originally home to the King of Munster, the Rock became a centre of medieval Christianity. The majority of the remaining building date from the 10th -12th century and Cashel houses some of the best examples of Celtic architecture.

SCHEDULE

9am – Pick up at Hotel

9.30am – Visit Blarney Castle and Museum

11.30am – Leave Blarney Castle and head toward the Beautiful Cork City to visit The English Market

1pm – Lunch Break at one our recommended restaurants

2pm – Visit Rock Of Cashel

3.30pm – Have afternoon tea in The Bake House

5pm – Return to Accommodation

TOUR D - Jameson Factory, Ballymaloe House, Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore Round Tower and Youghal

JAMESON FACTORY

The Jameson Experience is located in Midleton, Co. Cork. This distillery operated for 150 years, from 1825 until 1975, when the workers clocked off on a Friday in July, to start work in the new Midleton Distillery the following Monday. Thankfully, the old distillery was kept intact – and beautifully preserved – it is now one of the most striking and interesting tourist attractions in Ireland.

Of the original buildings date back to 1795, built as a mill before being converted for use as a distillery. The water wheel, which once operated all the machinery at the distillery, still turns and operates the cogs and wheels in the Mill Building. Guests are truly spoilt for a true whiskey experience in Warehouse No.1, which boasts the largest copper pot still in the world, casks of maturing whiskey and the new micro distillery.

BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL

The famous Ballymaloe Cookery School is situated in the middle of its own organic farm in Shanagarry, County Cork. On the grounds, visitors can explore the Edwardian Cookery School Gardens, which are managed organically. There is an extensive modern herb garden laid out as a grand parterre, formal fruit garden, vegetable garden, herbaceous border and shell house of great charm, lawns, pools and temple. This Edwardian gardens are also known as Kinoith House Gardens in the earlier days. Ballymaloe also offers gardening courses reflecting the philosophy of the gardens and school.

ARDMORE ROUND TOWER

Built in the 12th century, it provides a great day out for families with children, couples and even walkers enjoying the beautiful surrounding ruins of Ardmore Cathedral. Guests can peel the layers on history by reading an extract from the Journal of the Kilkenny and South East of Ireland Archaeological Society written in 1898. Thought to have been founded by St. Declan in the 5th century – predating St. Patrick. The first known mention of the tower is in 1642 as it and a nearby castle were occupied by Irish forces. The tower was said to have held 40 men at the time of a battle with English soldiers. Also on site is St. Declan’s oratory – traditionally the burial place of St. Declan. It is a small building with a stone-lined vault in the floor, now empty, but the site still attracts pilgrims on Declan’s Feast Day, July 24th. The building was re-roofed in 1716 by the Bishop of Waterford. Guests can enjoy a magnificent view of the beaches and bay below.

YOUGHAL

Youghal Heritage Town, where past meets present, is both a modern seaside resort and one of the best examples of a Norman walled port in Ireland today. Let us take you on an interesting journey in time – from our Viking founders down through the various eras that formed Youghal and bestowed us this unique heritage that is yours to cherish and savour to-day. We will introduce you to the Natural Heritage – landscapes, flora & fauna. We will share our charming Cultural Heritage with you and our marvellous musical and folklore traditions. Youghal’s Built Heritage is testament to the genius of those gone before us – the legacy of which we see in our magnificent stock of ancient preserved and Protected Structures buildings.

SCHEDULE

9am – Pick up at Hotel

9.30am – Visit the Jameson Factory in Middleton

10.30am – Leave the famous whiskey factory and travel to Pierce Kavanagh Pottery Shop

11am – Travel to Ballymalloe House Café and Cookery School. Short break for guests in Café.

1.30 pm – leave Ballymaloe House Café and head to Cliff House Hotel for lunch

3pm – Visit Ardmore Round Tower

5pm – Return to Cork City through Youghal. Drop off at Hotel

TOUR F - Gougane Barra, Glengarriff Quills Shop, Castletownbere fishing port, Eyeries Hag of Beara, Kenmare Town and Stone Circle

GOUGANE BARRA

EYERIES HAG OF BEARA

Legend has it that this rock which rises above Coulagh Bay represents the fossilised remains of the face of the Cailleach Beara awaiting her husband Manannan, God of the Sea, to return to her. Her presence still haunts visitors who leave coins, trinkets and all sorts of other small offerings, on and around the rock. The Hag of Beara in many ways has come to represent Mna na hEireann – the women of Ireland – due to her power, fertility, and strength. Surely she will rise to help nurture Ireland once again. Located only minutes from Eyeries, on the Kilcatherine coastal road, the Hag is worth a visit.

STONE CIRCLE IN KENMARE

The Kenmare stone circle is one of the largest stone circles in south West Ireland measuring and unlike any other ring in Muster, this one is egg-shaped. Stone Circles were built during the bronze age believed to be for ritual and ceremonial purposes. The Kenmare stone circle is composed of 15 heavy boulders, At the centre is an impressive Boulder-Dolmen with a giant capstone. Dolmen’s often marked the burial place of someone important. This style of burial appears to be restricted to the south Munster area, with apparently just one elsewhere in Ireland.

SCHEDULE

9am – Pick up at Hotel

10am – Visit Gougane Barra

10.30am – Leave Gougane Barra and head towards the Beara Peninsula

12pm – Visit the Quills Shop in Glengariff where you can pick up your high quality woolen knit in store.

1pm – Visit Castletownbere – the largest White Fish Fishport in Ireland and have lunch in the Beara Coast Hotel

2pm – Visit Eyeries Hag of Beara before continuing on to Kenmare

3pm – Visit the Stone Circle in Kenmare

5pm – Return to Cork City