This full-day tour begins with a drive to the village of Blarney, located north of the city of Cork, for a visit to the 15th century Blarney Castle.

Here, you will find the famous Blarney Stone, which is traditionally believed to have the power to bestow eloquence on all who kiss it. The stone itself is set in the wall below the battlements and to kiss it one has to lean backwards (holding on to an iron railing) from the parapet walk. The stone is reputed to have been that mentioned in the Bible as "Jacob's Pillow" and is supposed to have been brought to Ireland by Jeremiah the Prophet. It is more likely to have been brought back during the Crusades. The term "Blarney" was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth I of England and is defined as "pleasant talk, intending to deceive without offending.”

You will have free time for shopping in the Blarney Woolen Mills store, which offers a selection of Irish gifts, including Waterford crystal, Belleek china, Aran sweaters, Irish linen and jewelry, and Celtic items.

From Blarney, this tour will take you south to Kinsale, known as the “Gourmet Capital of Ireland.” Kinsale is one of the most picturesque, popular, and fashionable resorts on the southwest coast of Ireland. Famous for its beautiful yachting, sea angling, dolphin and whale watching, gourmet food, and golf, Kinsale can easily claim its place among Ireland’s most historic locations. It has been a center of population, commerce, trade, and fishing far beyond memory and record. The town is nestled between the hills and the shoreline, a maze of narrow streets, never far from the water and little changed in many hundreds of years.

Enjoy a delicious lunch in Kinsale (not included in tour price) before exploring this very interesting town on foot. There is a great selection of shops, bars, and galleries to make this exploration all the more interesting!