Cork — Sightseeing & Walking Tours
Photos: Three ways of seeing the best of Kinsale - (top, left) The Spirit of Kinsale cruise; (top, right) the Kinsale Ghost Tour walk with Brian O'Neill; and (bottom) the Kinsale Historic Stroll with Don Herlihy.
Sightseeing tours of Cork City and County Cork range from bus tours and walking tours to boat cruises. Click here for your choices:
Cork City Tours
Tours From Cork City
Tours in Other Parts of Cork
Cork Historic Walking Tours – Cork City historian John Collins leads guided 90-minute walking tours on the various aspects of Cork City. Three distinct themes are offered - a “Grand Tour” at 10 a.m.; “Monks, Vikings and Normans Tour” at 2 p.m.; and “The Modern City City” at 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, April 7 – September 26. More information and reservations: tel. 085-100-7300 or Web site: www.walkcork.ie
Cork City Hop-on/Hop-Off Bus Tour – Tour Cork City on board a double-deck open air bus, making 16 stops at all the major attractions including St. Finbarr’s Cathedral, St. Anne’s Shandon, Cork City Gaol, English Market, Grand Parade, Custom House, City Hall, Tourist Office, and more. Get on and off as often as you wish; buy your ticket on board or at the tourist office. April – October, daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact the Cork City Tours (tel. 021-430-9090).
Cork/Blarney Tour - Bus Eireann offer
tours via open-top bus through Cork City, viewing the city's famous landmarks with commentary, and then out to Blarney, with
time to explore the village, shop, or kiss the famous Blarney Stone. 3
hrs. April 28 - Sept. 30, daily at 1:45 p.m., rerturning to Cork at 5:45 p.m. (Tour includes an option of extending stay in Blarney and returning to Cork City on any scheduled Bus Eireann service, on same day, at no extra cost). Departs from Cork Bus Station,
Parnell Place, tel. 021-450-8188. Web site: www.buseireann.ie
Tours
From Cork City
Tours to West Cork, Kinsale or Kerry: Easytours Cork provides excursions to West Cork (Gougane Barra, Glengarriff, Garinish Island and Bantry) on Wednesday and Saturday; to Kinsale (including Timoleague, Clonakilty, and Ardfield) on Tuesday and Friday; or Kenmare and Killarney on Sunday and Thursday. Departures from Cork City Toursit Office, at 9:30 a.m.; no advance reservations required. May – September. More information: 021-454-5328 or Web site: www.easytourscork.com
West Cork, tel. 021-450-8188. Bus Eireann provides a
day-long sightseeing tour to Inchigeela, Gougane Barra, Bantry Harbour,
Schull and a cruise to Cape Clear, with several hours at leisure on the
island. 12 hrs. July 7 - Sept. 15, Sat. at 9:30am. Departs from Bus Station,
Parnell Place and may also be joined at Blarney or Macroom. Web site: www.buseireann.ie
Tours to Kerry & Beyond, tel. 021-450-8188. Bus Eireann
offers a selection of day-long tours to other counties from Cork. These
include Ring of Kerry (May 6-Sept. 30); Killarney, Dingle & Tralee
(June 26-Aug. 28); Kenmare, Moll's Gap, Ladies View and Lakes of Killarney
(July 9-Aug. 27); and Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Ennis, Burren,
Lisdoonvarna, and Cliffs of Moher (June 28-Sept. 6). 9-10 hrs.; departure
days vary. All tours depart from the Bus Station, Parnell Place and may
also be joined at Blarney and or Macroom. Web site: www.buseireann.ie
Tours
in Other Parts of Cork
Kinsale
Historic Stroll in Old Kinsale, tel. 021-477-2873. The best way to get to know the highlights of the historic seaport town of Kinsale is by taking a walking tour with local guide Don Herlihy. 1 hour. Tours depart daily, rain or shine, from the Tourist Office on Bank Place, times vary with the season. No reservations required.
Kinsale Ghost Tours, tel. 021-477-2240. Local ghost-enthusiast Brian O'Neill conducts tours of Kinsale that are "exciting, crazy and full of fun." 75 minutes. Mid-March to Sept., Sun. - Fri. at 9 p.m. Tours depart from the Tap Tavern, Guardwell, Kinsale.
"The Spirit of Kinsale," tel. 021-477-3188, offers scenic cruises around Kinsale Harbour and the River Bandon, passing Charles Fort and James Fort, Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse, Summercove, and many historical sites, with commentary and music. 45 minutes. April-Oct. daily. Boat dock is on Pier Rd., Kinsale Harbour Marina. Sailing times vary; check at tourist office or at boat dock. More information: www.kinsaleharbourcruises.com
Cobh
"Titanic Trail," tel. 021-481-5211; e-mail: info@titanic-trail.com. Local bookseller Michael
Martin created this historic walk around the port of Cobh, visiting 19 different sites or
buildings, most of which have direct connections with the ill-fated "Titanic."
Also available via minibus. 1 hr. May-Sept. daily at 11am. Tours depart from the Commodore
Hotel. Web site: www.titanic-trail.com
Ghost Walk of Cobh, tel. 021-481-5211. Devised by Michael Martin, creator
of the "Titanic Trail," this unique walk provides a commentary of paranormal
activities of the town and visits "haunted" sites. 45-55 mins. May-Sept. Tues.,
Thurs. and Sat. at 8:30pm and by appointment. Tours depart from the Pillars Bar, Cobh. Web site: www.titanic-trail.com/ghost.htm
Youghal
Youghal Walking Tours, tel. 021-024-92447. Local guides
escort visitors on walking tours of historic Youghal including the town's 13th century
lighthouse and walls, and 18th century Clock Gate. 1 hr. June to mid-Sept. daily at 11am
and at other times by appointment. All tours begin at the Youghal Visitor Centre, Market
Square, Youghal. Web site: http://homepage.eircom.net/~youghal/tourist.html
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