54403IRE
Blarney Castle visit
Waterford Factory visit
· Entrances paid by voucher.
· Call to reserve a visit at Waterford as soon as you get your envelope. Tel: 051 317000. They are strict on timing. Aim for 2.30pm, 3pm if staying in Waterford.
· BOOK KILLARNEY MEALS AS SOON AS YOU GET YOUR ENVELOPE OR WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR TRIP ALLOCATION AND CHECK WITH THE OFFICE AS THEY ARE OFTEN ASKED NOW TO BOOK THE MEALS IN ADVANCE.
SEE YELLOW PAGES FOR ALL PHONE NUMBERS/ENTRANCES/OPENING TIMES ETC.
Blarney Castle – visit
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, 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. Toilets are in the white building on the right after the entrance. Also on the right after you enter is a small kiosk selling coffees and snacks. There is a 5 minute walk to the castle itself where the group can climb the Castle’s stair and kiss the Blarney Stone up on the battlements at the top. Warn the group that there is often a queue to kiss the stone and to get there they will have to climb narrow winding castle stairs. Also let them know they can explore the grounds and find the Wishing Steps… etc.
Blarney Woolen Mills has toilets, a restaurant, bureau de change and good shopping.
For a good visit/shopping/lunch break you can need 2 ½ – 3 hours, if busy.
Coach parking is also now available next to the Blarney Castle in order to save time.
House of Waterford Crystal.
Since 2010 new visitor experience located in Waterford city centre, on the Mall. It has on-site craftsmen aiming to produce 40,000 items a year. However the main factory has been mothballed and the vast majority of production moved to Europe.
There is a café, a gift shop and toilets
Give about 1½ hours for visit, shopping, coffee etc.
NB Prices for Waterford are no cheaper at the factory than at any other outlet in Ireland. They may prefer to buy in Blarney and ship it with their insurance. For very expensive individual art pieces though, it is the best place in the world.
NB Extension to Dublin
If you are going on to Dublin afterwards it is a very long day.
You could consider AVOCA hand weavers in Avoca, Wicklow as a stop on the way back to Dublin. However you would have to check to see if they would stay open for you.
Telephone – 0402 35105. Hours are 0900-1800.
Also, depending on booking time at Waterford, you could leave Blarney in time to eat lunch at Waterford before the tour.