Trip Overview
Join Travel Buddies as we embark on a little tour of South West Ireland. With a gorgeous 4 star hotel in Cork as our base, we will explore the region, taking in sights such as the Ring of Kerry, Killarney, and Blarney Castle.
Trip Highlights
- Kiss the Ancient Blarney stone at Blarney Castle and have the “Gift of the gab” bestowed upon you for 7 years.
- Spend a full day exploring the ring of Kerry and Killarney.
- Spend 4 Nights at the gorgeous Hotel Metropole just minutes walk away from all of the top attractions.
Itinerary
We will all meet at the airport in the morning and go through security together before boarding our flights to Cork Ireland
At the airport we will be met by our transfer bus and taken to our hotel.
In the heart of Cork City Centre, the gorgeous 4*Hotel Metropole is just a short stroll from many excellent shops, boutiques, theatres and galleries.
During our trip you can relax in one of the tastefully decorated bedrooms, equipped with everything for a comfortable stay.
A breakfast buffet with hot and cold options is served each day. Bells Bar shows live sports, has a varied bar menu and live entertainment at weekends.
We will be sharing en-suite rooms on a twin basis, with breakfast included each morning. If you would like a room to yourself throughout the trip we have several available at a cost of £200.
Check in if it is not too early or store our luggage, and embark on a guided walking tour of the city
Dinner locally at Oliver Plunkett, the place to go for some great live Irish dancing and music.
It’s off on a full day tour today to explore the ring of Kerry and Killarney.
The Ring of Kerry is considered one of the finest drives in the world. From rugged cliffs to golden beaches, small villages and pastures green to peat bogs and picturesque mountain ranges. This peninsula illustrates all that is beautiful, wonderful and wild in the beloved motherland.
The variety of attractions makes this one of the most diverse and interesting day tours that one is likely to experience in their travel adventures. From ancient stone forts to landscapes carved out of rock by the Ice Age, from sparkling lakes to winding mountain passes, our day trip shall be a highlight and shall ensure lasting memories of the beautiful Kingdom of Kerry.
We will be dropped back at the hotel around 19.00 and go for dinner locally.
Free Day.
Some of the things you might want to see in and around the city are as follows.
Visit the Famous Waterford Crystal factory which produces some of the most beautiful crystal in the world for an hour-long guided tour. £16 entrance..
Visit the city Jail where a 19th century architectural marvel and gateway through time. Discover the daily patterns of inmates and wardens through interactive exhibits. The self guided tour with audio guide is around £12.
Cobh:
Famous as the departure point of millions of Irish emigrants over the centuries, and as Titanic’s last port of call. Visit the Titanic Experience, in the original White Star Line ticket office, or the stunning Saint Coleman’s Cathedral overlooking Cork Harbour.
Fota Wildlife Park:
One of Ireland’s top ten visitor attractions. No holiday to Ireland or Cork is complete without exploring Fota Wildlife Park’s open savanna, tiger forest and tropical house.
Jameson Experience Midleton:
A journey through the story of Irish whiskey. View the largest pot still in the world before sampling the world renowned whiskey.
Today we are off to visit Blarney castle (ticket Included) and have a chance to kiss the Blarney Stone which is reputed to give you the gift of the gab for 7 years then this might be the best time.
Blarney castle is 8km from Cork we will need to take the bus which takes around 20 minutes (own cost).
The castle is set in huge,, stunning grounds and there are cafes and even a poison flower garden and a sculpture garden to visit here, as some of us may want to spend longer here than others we can make our own way back to Cork as and when we please.
After breakfast and checking out we will take a short walk to the Irish Butter Museum, where we can learn all about the fine art of Irish butter making. We will be able to leave our luggage at the hotel and collect it later.
Meet back at the hotel to take our transfer to the airport for our flight home.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- 4 Nights sharing a twin room at the 4* Hotel Metropole.
- Full breakfast each morning.
- Travel Buddies tour leader.
- Cork walking tour.
- Return airport transfers.
- Full day trip by coach to the ring of Kerry and Killarney. (Lunch not included).
- Blarney Castle entrance ticket.
- Butter museum entrance ticket.
Cost Excludes
- Flights.
FAQs
These are the suggested flights. You are more than welcome to book different flights from wherever is most convenient for you in the UK. If you wish to join the group from a different flight you will need to arrange a transfer to the hotel .
You need to book your own flights. Below is the flight that Di will be taking. Suggested flights are with Ryanair and are as follows. They are £119.88 return as of today including 10kg hand luggage.
07/03/2026
Depart Birmingham 11.45 Arrive Cork 13.05
Flight Number FR2993.
11/03/2026
Depart Cork 14.55 Arrive Birmingham 16.15
Flight Number FR2994.
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Travel Insurance is a mandatory requirement for travelling with Travel Buddies. Please ensure you are fully insured for all aspects of your trip. We would advise you to take out your travel insurance as soon as you have paid your deposit.
When you RSVP to a trip you will be asked the following questions please take a moment to fill in all of the answers.
What is your full name? What is your contact number? What is your email address? Do you know the travel buddy you wish to share a room with? Do you wish to have a room to yourself for a supplement of £200?
