Blarney Castle Tours: The 15 Best Ways to Visit

1.Dublin to Rock of Cashel, Cork City & Blarney Castle Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,536 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $95Our pick

Travel from Dublin to the Rock of Cashel, Cork, and Blarney Castle on a 12-hour Paddywagon Tours outing. Guides such as Brian, Leo, Michael, Alex, and JJ have been praised for history, humor, and helpful local tips. You’ll have time for the Blarney Stone, castle gardens, Cork’s English Market, and Woollen Mills shopping.

“You are given just the right amount of time at each location. Our driver Brian was amazing, such fun and informative. He really made they trip a special one. Just be sure to be dressed for the weather and wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking and stair climbing.”

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2.Blarney, Rock of Cashel & Cahir Castles Day Tour From Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,944 reviews · 13 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $108

Leave Dublin early for a full castle day with Irish Day Tours. Visit the Rock of Cashel, kiss the Blarney Stone, explore its gardens, and tour Cahir Castle. Your driver-guide provides stories along the way, while admission, air-conditioned transport, USB charging, and Wi-Fi on some buses are included.

“Derek was a wonderful guide! I went in November and we had a small group. I had plenty of time to see everything at each stop. Beautiful views, interesting history during the bus ride and at the castles. 100% recommend this tour.”

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3.Blarney, Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castles Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 772 reviews · from $96

Spend 12 hours touring three major Irish sites from Dublin. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Philip, Jonathan, Adrian, or Derrick, shares stories on the road while you visit the Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle and Gardens, and Cahir Castle. Comfortable buses have USB ports, but Blarney’s steep steps and limited time require good shoes and planning.

“Nice group size, got a lot of sights in early in the morning. No issues with crowds.”

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4.Dublin to Cork, Blarney Castle & Cóbh Heritage Centre by train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 510 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $195

Start at Dublin Heuston at 7am for a full day by rail and coach. Visit Blarney Castle and its gardens, kiss the Blarney Stone, enjoy lunch in the village, then explore Cobh’s Queenstown Story Heritage Centre. Guides such as Norman, Paul, John, and Peter are praised for clear commentary, though rail delays can make this a very long day.

“It was excellent. Taking the train out of Dublin was a great way to see the countryside. Our tour guide Norman was excellent. While on the train ride, he told us more details about what we would be seeing and doing for the day. Along the way he pointed out sights and particular places that we would be passing and might want to take a picture of. He was very friendly and knowledgeable and really made the tour a great experience!”

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5.Cobh (Cork) to Blarney Castle & Kinsale – Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 504 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $95Top rated

Join Butlers Shore Tours for an 8-hour trip from Cobh or Ringaskiddy to Blarney Castle, Cork, Kinsale, and St. Colman’s Cathedral. Local guides such as Jamie, Ian, Kevin, and Niall provide lively commentary on the bus. Castle admission is included, and an early departure can help you beat the long Blarney Stone queue.

“Extraordinary tour and historical descriptions! Native tour guide, up on all current events! Thanks!”

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6.Shore Excursion From Cork: Including Blarney Castle and Kinsale

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 470 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $107

Travel from Cobh to Blarney Castle and Gardens, then see Cork and visit colorful Kinsale. Your driver-guide handles port transfers, commentary, WiFi, and admission to Blarney. Guides such as Kevin, Paul, Martin, and Zikor have been praised for humor and timing, but group size can reach 58 and the Blarney Stone queue varies sharply.

“The trip was exactly has described. We were the first tour bus to reach Blarney Castle. Kevin the guide was excellent.”

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7.Blarney Castle Full-Day Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 469 reviews · from $90

Travel from Dublin by climate-controlled van with an English-speaking guide such as Richard, Alex, or Brian. Visit the Rock of Cashel, Cork’s English Market, and Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the Blarney Stone and explore the Witch’s Cave. It is a long but well-filled day, with castle gardens and free time in Cork.

“I would have love more time at Blarney Castle and given up the visit at Cork.”

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8.3-Day Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, & Cliffs of Moher Rail tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 211 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $1,254

Travel from Dublin by rail and coach with reserved train seats, local guides, two nights in Killarney, and full Irish breakfasts. You’ll visit Blarney Castle, Cobh, the Ring of Kerry, Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and Galway. Guides such as John, Norman, Bob, and Bryan have been praised for lively storytelling and careful organization.

“Country was beautiful, pub food was very good, Celtic Steps show was amazing. Tour guide was very impatient and sharp with passengers. His storytelling was very informative. The first day we got out of the bus and walked for places, u could not hear his comments. With 42 people u need listening devices. All in all it was enjoyable.”

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9.Full-Day Tour to Cork, Cobh and Blarney Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 155 reviews · from $158

Travel by InterCity train from Dublin to Cork, then continue by coach to Blarney Castle and Cobh. You’ll have time for the stone, castle gardens, lunch, and the Queenstown Story Heritage Center. English-speaking guides such as Brian, Jonathan, Sean, and John Todd lead the day, with rail travel making the long route more comfortable.

“This was a wonderful trip! The train was fun and more comfortable than a bus the whole time. We really enjoyed Blarney Castle and Blarney Village. We wish we could have actually walked around Cobh and Cork but we know there’s not really enough time for everything. We had great guides, Brendan on the way there and Sean on the way back. Brendan was witty and knowledgeable when guiding us through the stops. We really enjoyed him! We absolutely adored Sean! He was funny and personable. He also gave us a GREAT food recommendation and it was one of our better meals during our stay in Dublin. We would book…”

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10.Easy Access Blarney Stone and Castle Gardens Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 105 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $71

Spend about 2.5 hours exploring Blarney village, Blarney Castle, and its gardens with a local guide. Learn where to find the best views and photo spots, kiss the Blarney Stone if the queue allows, then finish at Blarney Woollen Mills. Guides including Ann, Mary, and Maryna are praised for lively storytelling.

“We had a wonderful time with Maryna. She was a friendly and enthusiastic tour guide. It rained throughout the day, but the gardens were still lovely and well worth it!”

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11.Cliffs of Moher and Blarney 2-Day Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 73 reviews · from $226

This two-day Paddywagon tour links Ireland’s biggest southwest sights, from the Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle to Cork, the Burren, and the Cliffs of Moher. You travel with an English-speaking guide, sleep in Cork, and return to Dublin by way of Bunratty Castle. Guides may include Paul, Rory, John, JJ, Joe, Dave, or Wayne.

“Great tour guides/drivers! Rory and John are excellent!”

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12.Blarney Castle Tour from Cork including Cobh

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 70 reviews · from $63Best value

Travel from Cork to Blarney Castle and Cobh in about five hours with a driver-guide, air-conditioned transport, WiFi, and Blarney admission included. Kiss the famous stone, walk the castle gardens, then explore Cobh’s cathedral, Titanic connections, and emigration history on your own. Guides such as Brian and Patrick bring humor and useful local color.

“We had a great time and the trip was a good value. The guide was fun and informative. Cork is a great city.”

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13.4-Day Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher & Connemara

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 60 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,587

Travel from Dublin by train and coach to Blarney Castle, Cobh, the Ring of Kerry, Bunratty, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and Kylemore Abbey. You get reserved rail seats, driver-guides, three nights with Irish breakfast, and free evenings. Guides may include Norman, Jonathan, Bob, or John Beaumont.

“Overall a very well organized tour, although if issues arose there was no customer care as too many people are involved. A very great way to get a taste of Ireland via train and bus. Of course it is subjective but it would have been to have more stops in some places, or more time in others. Note that the first two nights we were put up at a 'Bed and Breakfast' as Killarney was fully booked. The tour involves a lot of walking, stairs if you want to enjoy the stops to the fullest so be aware before booking.”

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14.Easy Access – The Blarney Stone & Castle Gardens Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 31 reviews

Spend 2.5 hours with an English-speaking guide exploring Blarney Village, 15th-century Blarney Castle, and its gardens. Timed entry gets you onto the estate, while guides such as Anne, Cass, Maryna, and Karen add local stories and practical help. Finish at Blarney Woollen Mills, Ireland’s oldest and largest Irish craft shop.

“Your guide was great. Your description should be explicit that “skip the line” does not refer to waiting to go up the castle”

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15.Blarney Castle: Private Guided Day Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Travel from Dublin in a private Mercedes V Class with an English-speaking guide such as Don or Alan Mulligan. Visit the 5th-century Rock of Cashel, explore Blarney Castle and its gardens, kiss the Blarney Stone, see Cork, and shop at Blarney Woollen Mills. The 11-hour trip suits groups of up to six.

“Don was amazing at telling us the history during the tour and allowing us the free time to explore. The Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle was fun and informative. We got to meet Sir Charles in the gardens!”

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