54406IRE
Rock of Cashel visit
Blarney Castle visit
- Entrances paid by voucher.
- Call ahead to Cashel to re-confirm your reservation visit is self-guided. TMs are allowed to guide on site. Refer to 4409IRE for Rock of Cashel History. Cormac’s Chapel is an additional charge not covered by voucher and only bookable on the day. Size limit would make it tricky to incorporate for larger groups.
- Lunch is a little inconvenient on this day, not really timed right for Blarney or Cashel. Suggest the group have a little at each. Blarney works best Killarney-Dublin direction, Cashel from Dublin-Killarney.
- Rest stop option is at Portlaiose Services on the M7 at junction 17 or at Mayfield Junction 14.
Be very careful of timings on this day.
check killarney meals with the office as they have to often now book the meals in advance.
You may gain time with the new road network that is opening up across Ireland, however still use the route march as a guide, this remains a long day.
Rock of Cashel – visit
Upon arrival at Cashel, Point out:
Coach park – down the little road to the right
Toilets -grey block on the right hand side of small road, there are none on the Rock itself
The Rock café on the right hand corner as you turn into the road up to the Rock of Cashel is a possible place for lunch. Call ahead and confirm. Can be busy and if you miss your time slot then be prepared for a wait but this means you can get away from Blarney in good time. Toilets are on ground floor level and café upstairs. Tel: 00353 62 62299.
Give departure time and tell them to make their own way to the coach, having had food, if you intend to do lunch in Cashel. Walk the group up the hill to the entrance which is now through iron gate. Hand voucher in at kiosk directly ahead of you.
Entrance to Cormac’s Chapel is now limited times entry on the hour. Groups have to purchase tickets upon arrival. Wise not to talk up as unlikely to gain entry.
Post pandemic – The small museum below the Vicars Choral Hall, has yet to reopen.
Blarney Castle – visit/lunch
Coach sets the group down in the Blarney Woolen Mills coach park. This is where they will rejoin it later. Walk the group to the Castle, being careful of crossing the road as there is a blind corner. Tell group they make their own way back to the mills and to get their bearings. Pay by voucher and count them in. There is a 5 minute walk from the entrance to the Castle itself. Warn the group that to kiss the stone they must queue and climb the narrow winding castle stairs to get up to the battlements where the stone is located. Toilets are in white building on the right after the entrance. Also let them know they can explore the grounds and find the Wishing Steps… etc.
To maximize time, or if time is tight, the Blarney Castle now has its own car park next to the Castle Entrance.
Blarney Woolen Mills has toilets, a restaurant, bureau de change and shopping.
For a good visit/shopping/lunch break you can need 2-3 hours, if busy. If it is busy kissing the stone can take up to an hour because of the lines, and if group want to lunch and shop as well then you need to be generous with time.
Killarney Evening Activities
Jaunting Cars through the National Park to Ross Castle. 1 hour round trip. Ring Billy/Mark Tangney – 087 2571492.
Shops open till late – often till 8pm
The Killarney Avenue Hotel – 064 663 2522 The hotel has a cultural show on each season and at some point, it is highly likely that their promotional staff will introduce themselves to you.
Summer Festival (August). Ask at the hotel for pubs with music and other events.