Simply amazing! Love that you get to walk through the fort underground and love the views. The tea…read morehouse is overlooking the water. The volunteers are a wealth of information.

This usually isn't my kind of thing, but it was part of our vacation package and I'm SO GLAD we did…read moreit! This was an amazing way to learn about Cobh its history and the Titanic. Our guide was local, friendly and knowledgeable. A great way to explore the town. I know it was a guided tour, but it felt like we were being shown around by a friend. DONT question, just book!

An enjoyable stop. Got to see the John F Kennedy Park, the dock where the Titanic passengers…read moreloaded, the White Star ticketing line, and a Titanic memorial. It was also a big Irish emigration port. What struck me the most was that our guide asked how many of us in our group had Irish ancestry. A good 75% of us raised our hands. She said, "Now, if you're one of the 35 million in the U.S. that claim Irish ancestry, you're family set sail for America with nothing more than courage and a dream". A wow moment right there. However, our guide was a little hard to hear, so we missed out on some useful facts. It also would've been nice to have spent a little more time at the Heritage Center during our tour (it's helpful to make a reservation if you want a more in-depth look at your genealogy)

Dermot Ryan's Kinsale Heritage Walk was wonderful. You walk around the town of Kinsale at a…read moreleisurely pace no one would find difficult to keep up with, stopping to hear the local history and see photos of your surroundings as they were way back when. Lighthearted and funny and loving his home town, Dermot definitely makes the best tour guide you'd every hope to have. I loved this tour - it was absolutely wonderful.

Cork City Tours. Took two different buses today, both had a combination of recorded commentary and…read morelive commentary. Drivers were very nice, and I felt they were very accommodating of foreigners. Also very funny! In addition, a cruise ship was in at Cobh, so the buses were SRO for a couple of hours, but everyone stayed cheerful and positive. Great day, great tour. Five Stars, Cork City Tours!

Fantastic way to see the main sights of Cork! Get on at Grand Parade and hop on or off at any stop…read morealong the way. If it's raining you can sit downstairs in the dry!

Kieran was an outstanding tour guide! He has deep knowledge of the area and it's history and we…read morethoroughly enjoyed our time walking with him--even in the rain! His tour prompted us to find out more about this period in Irish history, listening/watching documentaries while driving from place to place. He was spot on and really knows his stuff. Thanks, Kieran! Bob and Mary Larkin

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Kieran. He's got such a deep knowledge of the history of this…read morearea. I loved getting to see and learn about all the little hidden, sometimes invisible, historical spots around Cobh. I especially found the prison beneath the church interesting (and troubling!). Thanks Kieran! This was well worth the money and the time!

I regret to inform everyone that I did not kiss the famous Blarney Stone. The queue was long and…read morethe wait time was two hours. Basically, the length of the drive to Blarney Castle. Plot twist, skipping the queue and exploring the grounds was the better decision. The castle grounds are basically a real-life fairytale mixed with a hint of tranquility. The walk around the property is peaceful, scenic, and picturesque. Highly recommend wandering over to the lake and stopping by the mansion.

Blarney Castle is a must-see. It's a privately owned property. The gardens are spectacular. They're…read morethe greenest gardens I've ever seen. Each section in the garden has a theme. It's fun. The castle is surrounded by the gardens and a stream that flows around it. It's beautiful. Once inside, the stairs are a bit intimidating on your way to the top. The stone is an additional level higher than when you first arrive up. There's someone at the site to help with your Blarney stone kiss. Just don't look down! After you've kissed the Blarney, be sure to make your way to the coffee and gift shop. Grab an Irish or Bailey's coffee and soak it all in. Congratulations on your adventure.

We took a short drive outside of Kinsale to visit Charles Fort…read more Street parking was free and less than five minutes walk to get to the entrance. Admission was free with our Heritage Card. We wandered through most of the fort. Most of the buildings were ruins (destroyed during the Irish Civil War) except for a couple near the entrance. The barracks contained two stories of exhibits about the fort, James Fort (across the bay), living as a soldier, and the notable Williamite War. There were scenic views of the bay and Kinsale from the ramparts. Some of the ruins were off limits but many were signed so we could understand what their purpose was. If you wanted to just see buildings with exhibits then check out the barracks (mentioned earlier), fire engine house and the gunpowder magazine.

If you're visiting Cork, Ireland, Charles Fort is an absolute must-see. The star-shaped fort is not…read moreonly impressive in its scale and design, but it also offers some of the most breathtaking views over Kinsale Harbour. Walking along the walls, you get a real sense of the history that has unfolded here--from battles and sieges to its later use as a garrison. The fort is very well maintained, and the wonderful guides help bring the story of the place to life. I especially enjoyed how much space there was to wander at your own pace--it never felt crowded. The guides on site were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about sharing the history. We would not have come here if we had not been on a wonderful tour of Ireland with Derek of Private Tours of Ireland https://www.privatetourscork.ie It's a great spot for families, couples, or anyone interested in history. Plan to spend at least an hour or two to really take it all in, and don't forget your camera--the views are spectacular! Reach out to Derek at Private Tours of Ireland https://www.privatetourscork.ie/about-us to arrange your tour of Ireland. Based in Cork, they specialize in luxury, chauffeur-driven private tours that combine iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and authentic Irish culture. Every tour is tailor-made to your interests, pace, and preferences, ensuring an unforgettable journey across Cork and beyond. Whether you're visiting Blarney Castle, the Dingle Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry, or the Cliffs of Moher, their expert guides bring Ireland's history, landscapes, and stories to life. From city streets to the rugged coast, we create experiences that go beyond sightseeing -- they connect you with the true spirit of Ireland. We are grateful we found them and they took us to Kinsale to see Charles Fort.

I learned so much about the Jameson brand and the whiskey-making process during the Midleton…read moreDistillery Experience. The hour-and-fifteen-minute guided tour takes you behind the scenes of the 200-year-old facility, with stops at the grain store, mill house, and maturation warehouses. Along the way, you'll see the massive iron water wheel that once powered the mill before steam engines took over, as well as the largest pot still in the world, both impressive highlights. The tour wraps up with a tasting of three whiskeys. Ours included Jameson Original, Redbreast, and Green Spot. It's a great way to experience the range of flavors and styles Jameson has to offer. You also get a drink voucher to use at the on-site bar, which is conveniently attached to the gift shop. I'd recommend this tour not just to Jameson fans and whiskey enthusiasts, but also to history lovers and anyone interested in Irish craftsmanship. It's a well-paced, engaging experience that combines tradition, storytelling, and flavor in a beautifully preserved setting.

We had a great time during the Jameson experience at cork. The tour itself was well executed and…read morevery interesting. They also provided lots of samples which was appreciated. We learned a lot and particularly enjoyed learning about their method and madness line. Our tour guide was great. Do note that you may need to stick around after the tour a bit before driving especially if you didn't have much in your stomach! We would definitely come back sometime.

Butler's Coach of Cork Ireland. John O'Donovan provided us Irish history, music, sports, and…read moreculture as well as safe driving and beautiful scenery. His narrative as we went through Belfast still affects me. He took us to the very best places and helped us experience the best of Scotland as well. He also made sure our little flock was safe and happy through 12 dayd. From pub suggestions to directions to concert halls, we couldn't ask for more. Ask for Mr. O'Donovan and you'll be pleased with your Ireland and Scotland experience.

From the owner: Coach, Bus and minivan hire. Stephen Butler Coaches is a family run coach company, who specializes…read morein luxury private coach, bus and minivan hire. Stephen established his business in 1979, to date we are celebrating over 40 years in business. We are based in the bustling town of Midleton, Co. Cork, which is also home to Jameson Distillery, Midleton. We operate one of the most luxurious and modern fleets of chauffeur driven vehicles in Cork, Ireland. We strive every day to ensure all of our customer's needs and expectations are exceeded. Contact us today for all your coach, bus and minivan hire requirements.