Cruise Guides
A Cork stopover permits a wide choice of quality shore excursions. Experienced, courteous, multi-lingual guides escort passengers on luxurious, air conditioned coaches to sites of historical, cultural and scenic interest.
A cruise call at the Port of Cork provides the passenger with the ultimate cruise experience – a fascinating combination of pursuits from history to archaeology, flora and fauna, golf, prize winning gardens, or shopping or simply relaxing with the friendliest and most hospitable people alive. Once experienced a return visit is inevitable.
A relatively recent heritage attraction is Cork City Gaol which provides an impressive image and sound representation of gaol life in southern Ireland from the 1820’s to the 1920’s.
Blarney
A short coach drive from Cork city is Blarney village, probably the best known and most visited tourist attraction in Ireland. Blarney Castle was built around 1446 and tradition tells us that to kiss the famous stone is a guarantee of the gift of eloquence. At the impressive Blarney Woolen Mills, the visitor can witness examples of old Irish crafts on exhibition, including hand weaving and handknitting, and select from the largest retail collection of Waterford Crystal in the world.
www.blarneycastle.ie
click here to complete the Blarney Castle Visitor Survey
Kinsale
Located 17 miles / 27 kilometres from the city, Kinsale is one of the most picturesque fishing and tourist resorts in Ireland. A noted centre for yachting, sea angling and gourment eating, the town was awarded the European prize for tourism and the environment in 1995. One of Kinsale’s oldest attractions is Charles Fort, a huge star-shaped fort built in 1677 while a major new attraction is the spectacular Old Head of Kinsale championship golf course.
www.kinsale.ie
Titanic Trail
The Titanic Trail is a fascinating Guided Heritage Tour. It explores the town of Cobh. This entertaining and innovative Walking Tour has been operating every day since 1998 and has been filmed by 20th Century Fox, National Geographic and many other travel documentaries. Michael Martin the author and Creator has been interviewed by the BBC, Australian TV, National Korean Television and a host of other Radio Stations and Book Publishers.
www.titanic.ie
Jameson Centre, Midleton
The market town of Midleton is a mere twenty minute journey from Cork city or Cobh. Here in the carefully restored Old Midleton Distillery is located the Jameson Heritage Centre. A visit to the Centre, which contains the largest Pot Still in the world, is a journey through the history of Irish whiskey.
www.jamesonwhiskey.com/omd
Millstreet Coutry Park
This rural gem is located in the heart of the South West of Ireland and nestled at the foot of the Musheramore Mountains in an environment which boasts an abundance fo native wonders and spectacular breathtaking views. This 500 acre estate was first opened to the public in 1995 and has had visitors from 53 countries worldwide. Activities at the park include signposted walks for all abilities with archaeological sites to explore, replica crannog and many more histrical features. There are beautifully manicured gardens and an entertainment area with restaurant and bandstand.
www.millstreetcountrypark.com
Killarney
A very popular shore excursion takes cruise passengers on a visit to much acclaimed Killarney, where the beauty of its lakes and mountains is truly spellbounding. The local jaunting cars take visitors to the imposing, Elizabethan – style Muckross House and its adjoining, beautifully laid out gardens.
www.killarney-insight.com
West Cork
To the south west of Cork are magnificent Bantry Bay and neighbouring Glengarriff and Garnish Island where the Gulf Stream influence is clearly visible on the sub-tropical vegetation.
www.westcork.ie
Waterford
There has been a steady increase in the number of shore excursions which embrace 1,000 year old Waterford city – home of Waterford Crystal. Coaches convey the cruise passengers from Cork to the plant’s well appointed visitor centre where one may observe the production of truly artistic pieces. Enroute passengers may take in the medieval walled town of Youghal and the monastic ruins of the imposing Rock of Cashel.
www.waterford.ie www.cashel.ie
Useful Links:
www.cork-guide.ie/info.html
www.discoverireland.ie/cork
www.corkcity.ie/tourism/tourism.shtml
www.eastcorktourism.com/general.asp
www.whazon.com/cork/index.php
www.cobhharbourchamber.ie
www.corkchamber.ie
www.corkoperahouse.ie
www.everymanpalace.com
www.corkairport.com
www.corkjazzfestival.com
www.corkfilmfest.org
www.corkfestival.com
www.jamesonwhiskey.com
www.cobhheritage.com
www.killarney-insight.com
www.corkcitygaol.com
www.corkatchristmas.ie
www.cometocork.com
www.hosfordsgardencentre.ie
www.modelvillage.ie
www.titanic.ie
www.millstreetcountrypark.com
www.discoverireland.ie/clipper