About Cork Taxi Tours

 Blarney Castle & City Tour

 Collection time from stern Gangway 8.30am.

9.30 am    Blarney Castle

On leaving Shandon it?s on towards Blarney and Blarney Castle with its beautifully maintained gardens and of course your chance to kiss the famous Blarney stone. In the village is Christies Blarney woollen mills shop a must stop for any visitor to Blarney and well worth a wonder around. This historic castle is most famous for its stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word Blarney was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth 1st and is described as pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending. The stone is set in the wall below the battlements, and, to kiss it, one has to lean backwards from the parapet walk.
Rock Close
Blarney Castle has long been famous because of the Blarney Stone but the less known Rock Close and castle grounds are well worth a visit in their own right. The Rock Close is a mystical place where majestic yew and oak trees grow around an ancient druidic settlement. Follow the trail through giant Gunnera leaves and bamboo and you will find such features as a dolmen, wishing steps and a witch?s kitchen. A water garden with waterfalls is presently being constructed which will add the soothing sound of water to the visitor?s experience. Below the castle are mysterious caves and an arboretum filled with rare tree. There are pleasant walks along the riverbanks where you can sit and contemplate the reflections of the castle. In spring the castle grounds are filled with thousands of bulbs. In autumn the whole place glows as the leaves turn red, amber and gold.

 OLD CITY GAOL

On the way back towards the city we call to the old city gaol heritage centre for you to see life through the eyes of a convict sent here in the nineteenth century. Looking across from the Gaol we can see University Collage Cork?s impressive campus and beyond it our next stop.

  English Market

 Next we drop you at one of Corks Famous landmark?s the English Market This is an enclosed market with entrances off Grand Parade, Patrick Street and Princes Street. The origin of the English Market may be traced back to James 1st in 1610 but the present building dates from 1786. Long recognized by locals as a place to meet, eat and shop, visitors can savor the atmosphere and choose from the wide range of goods that the traders have to offer in this unique market.

  St.Finbarre?s Cathedral

This majestic building is well worth a visit Situated close to the heart of Cork, St. Fin Barre's Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and interesting buildings to be found in the whole country. The present Cathedral is the latest in a series of places of worship located on the site where St. Fin Barre himself is said to have founded his school of learning in the 7th century. It continues to be a place of worship and scholarship to this day. The Cathedral was built by William Burges at the end of the 19th century. Stained glass windows depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments. There are marble mosaics from the Pyrenees, and the sanctuary ceiling portrays Christ in glory surrounded by angels. The building is rich in sculptures, with over 1260 of them built into the fabric of the building.The Cathedral is within easy walking distance of the city center.  Outside of service times there is an admission charge to the main body of the Cathedral - but those who wish to pray privately are welcome to use the Dean's Chapel.

   Blackrock Castle

 We do a quick panoramic tour of the city sights including City Hall before heading down the Marina (due to height restrictions minibuses have to use an alternate route) to the Blackrock castle observatory this picturesque castle originally built to guard the entrance to Cork city was until recently in private hands. Now run as a joint venture between the City Council and the Cork Institute of technology this is a favorite with both young and old.

Lunch of your choice at one of the many great restaurants or pubs in the heart of the city                                                                                                                                                                            

Leave at 3:45pm to return to ship

Arrive back at Cobh for 4:15pm