Total from£527
Land price only. Flight prices will be quoted at the time of booking to ensure you get the best price. Please use the calendar to view pricing for other dates.
Based on: 28 July 2026
2 Days / 1 Night: Exlopre Cork, Blarney Castle, the Queenstown Story, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry
Day 1 | Blarney village, Blarney castle and gardens, Cóbh and Killarney
Check-in for 7am departures from Dublin Heuston Station. Your departure station, Dublin Heuston, was opened in 1844 as the headquarters of the Great Southern & Western Railway and is now the official principal station of Iarnród Éireann – Ireland’s national railway company.
As your train departs, we travel in a southwesterly direction, passing Inchicore, railway engineering works and then some of Dublin’s western suburbs – soon we are in the lush fertile countryside of County Kildare, Ireland’s Kentucky. Look out for the many stud farms near the track. The train passes through the town of Newbridge, home to the famous Newbridge Silverware.
We now enter the Curragh of Kildare, which soon comes into view on both sides of the line. The Curragh (pronounced: Curra) is famous for its racecourse, home of the Irish Derby. At this time of the morning, you are likely to see some of Ireland's finest bloodstock being put through their paces. The Curragh is also the headquarters of the Irish army and their buildings can be seen in the distance to the east.
We pass the town of Kildare, and the Church of Ireland (Protestant) Cathedral of St. Brigid’s – completed in 1223 – can be seen to the south (left-hand side when facing the direction of travel). We cross the River Barrow at Monesterevin and enter Co. Laois.
Our train journey makes a stop at Portlaoise (pronounced: Port Leesh-eh). Departing Portlaoise, we soon enter Co. Tipperary and pass the town of Templemore. Shortly after, we pass Loughmoe Castle which can be seen on the southern side of the train, built in the 15th century, the Purcell family lived there until 1760. The next stop is at the town of Thurles. At our next stop – Limerick Junction – many Railtours Ireland clients will be leaving the train for the Cliffs of Moher tour. Please remain on the train for the Cork, Blarney Castle and Cobh Heritage Day Tour! Our final stop before Cork is at the town of Mallow.
We arrive at Cork Kent Station at 9:35am and we transfer to our coach, passing through Cork City en route to Blarney Village and historic Blarney Castle & Gardens, built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy. You will have time to kiss the famous stone, which is said to bestow the gift of eternal eloquence on those lucky enough to do so. There is also time for shopping and lunch at Blarney and we recommend that you have lunch there, as this will be the only opportunity during the day to have a substantial meal.
We depart Blarney Castle for Cóbh, via the city centre, taking in some of the city sights while en route to our next destination.
On arrival at Cóbh, we will visit St. Colman’s Cathedral. We will then proceed down along the sea front passing the former White Star Line offices en route to the beautifully restored Victorian railway station/transatlantic terminal. This is now the Cóbh Heritage Centre, home to the Queenstown Story. The centre also houses much information about the Great Famine and subsequent Irish Emigration; 3 million Irish people emigrated from Cóbh, (principally to the United States) including Annie Moore, whose statue is located in front of the heritage centre.
Depart Cóbh by train to Killarney, where the rest of the evening is free. There is a large selection of cafés, restaurants and bars in Killarney town as well as many opportunities for live traditional Irish music and entertainment.
Accommodation: 3* B&B
Overnight in Killarney on bed-and-breakfast basis
Day 2 | Ring of Kerry
Enjoy your Ful Irish Breakfast at leisure before departing on your Ring of Kerry tour. The Ring of Kerry is a 179-km-long circular tourist route in County Kerry, South Western Ireland. On this tour, there are views of the Skellig Rocks (islands), where Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' was recently filmed. There are plenty of stops along the Ring of Kerry for morning tea, lunch and photo stops etc. Ireland’s highest mountains are located in Kerry and Carrauntouhil, which can be seen en route, is the highest, standing at 1041 metres. With unparalleled views, the Ring of Kerry will take your breath away!
We will make a stop at the Kerry Bog Village Museum, which gives people an insight into how people lived and worked in rural Ireland in the 18th century. The village is the only one of its kind in Europe. Later on the approach to Waterville, there are views (weather permitting) of the Skellig Rocks (islands), where Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' was recently filmed.
We will make several photo stops, a stop for lunch and one final stop at the pretty village of Sneem, for about 30 minutes, or as directed by your tour leader.
An essential part of any visit to Ireland, this tour circles the magnificent MacGillycuddy Reeks and runs through its many passes and valleys along the shores of Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay. There is an unspoilt nature to Ireland's most beautiful region and the Ring of Kerry provides many unforgettable memories as it passes through the many picturesque villages such as Glenbeigh, Waterville and Sneem and returns via Ladies View, the famous Lakes of Killarney and through the Oakwoods of Killarney's magnificent National Park.
At the end of the tour, you will be brought to the railway station at Killarney. You will depart Killarney at 5:35pm for Dublin by train and change trains at Mallow, accompanied by your Railtours Ireland host. Returning to Dublin Heuston at 9pm.
Important information
On this tour, we cannot offer twin, triple or family rooms. You will be assigned rooms based on the number of people in your group. For example, if you are a group of 5, you will be given 2 double rooms and one single room.
Day 1 | Blarney village, Blarney castle and gardens, Cóbh and Killarney
Check-in for 7am departures from Dublin Heuston Station. Your departure station, Dublin Heuston, was opened in 1844 as the headquarters of the Great Southern & Western Railway and is now the official principal station of Iarnród Éireann – Ireland’s national railway company.
As your train departs, we travel in a southwesterly direction, passing Inchicore, railway engineering works and then some of Dublin’s western suburbs – soon we are in the lush fertile countryside of County Kildare, Ireland’s Kentucky. Look out for the many stud farms near the track. The train passes through the town of Newbridge, home to the famous Newbridge Silverware.
We now enter the Curragh of Kildare, which soon comes into view on both sides of the line. The Curragh (pronounced: Curra) is famous for its racecourse, home of the Irish Derby. At this time of the morning, you are likely to see some of Ireland's finest bloodstock being put through their paces. The Curragh is also the headquarters of the Irish army and their buildings can be seen in the distance to the east.
We pass the town of Kildare, and the Church of Ireland (Protestant) Cathedral of St. Brigid’s – completed in 1223 – can be seen to the south (left-hand side when facing the direction of travel). We cross the River Barrow at Monesterevin and enter Co. Laois.
Our train journey makes a stop at Portlaoise (pronounced: Port Leesh-eh). Departing Portlaoise, we soon enter Co. Tipperary and pass the town of Templemore. Shortly after, we pass Loughmoe Castle which can be seen on the southern side of the train, built in the 15th century, the Purcell family lived there until 1760. The next stop is at the town of Thurles. At our next stop – Limerick Junction – many Railtours Ireland clients will be leaving the train for the Cliffs of Moher tour. Please remain on the train for the Cork, Blarney Castle and Cobh Heritage Day Tour! Our final stop before Cork is at the town of Mallow.
We arrive at Cork Kent Station at 9:35am and we transfer to our coach, passing through Cork City en route to Blarney Village and historic Blarney Castle & Gardens, built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy. You will have time to kiss the famous stone, which is said to bestow the gift of eternal eloquence on those lucky enough to do so. There is also time for shopping and lunch at Blarney and we recommend that you have lunch there, as this will be the only opportunity during the day to have a substantial meal.
We depart Blarney Castle for Cóbh, via the city centre, taking in some of the city sights while en route to our next destination.
On arrival at Cóbh, we will visit St. Colman’s Cathedral. We will then proceed down along the sea front passing the former White Star Line offices en route to the beautifully restored Victorian railway station/transatlantic terminal. This is now the Cóbh Heritage Centre, home to the Queenstown Story. The centre also houses much information about the Great Famine and subsequent Irish Emigration; 3 million Irish people emigrated from Cóbh, (principally to the United States) including Annie Moore, whose statue is located in front of the heritage centre.
Depart Cóbh by train to Killarney, where the rest of the evening is free. There is a large selection of cafés, restaurants and bars in Killarney town as well as many opportunities for live traditional Irish music and entertainment.
Accommodation: 3* B&B
Overnight in Killarney on bed-and-breakfast basis
Day 2 | Ring of Kerry
Enjoy your Ful Irish Breakfast at leisure before departing on your Ring of Kerry tour. The Ring of Kerry is a 179-km-long circular tourist route in County Kerry, South Western Ireland. On this tour, there are views of the Skellig Rocks (islands), where Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' was recently filmed. There are plenty of stops along the Ring of Kerry for morning tea, lunch and photo stops etc. Ireland’s highest mountains are located in Kerry and Carrauntouhil, which can be seen en route, is the highest, standing at 1041 metres. With unparalleled views, the Ring of Kerry will take your breath away!
We will make a stop at the Kerry Bog Village Museum, which gives people an insight into how people lived and worked in rural Ireland in the 18th century. The village is the only one of its kind in Europe. Later on the approach to Waterville, there are views (weather permitting) of the Skellig Rocks (islands), where Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' was recently filmed.
We will make several photo stops, a stop for lunch and one final stop at the pretty village of Sneem, for about 30 minutes, or as directed by your tour leader.
An essential part of any visit to Ireland, this tour circles the magnificent MacGillycuddy Reeks and runs through its many passes and valleys along the shores of Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay. There is an unspoilt nature to Ireland's most beautiful region and the Ring of Kerry provides many unforgettable memories as it passes through the many picturesque villages such as Glenbeigh, Waterville and Sneem and returns via Ladies View, the famous Lakes of Killarney and through the Oakwoods of Killarney's magnificent National Park.
At the end of the tour, you will be brought to the railway station at Killarney. You will depart Killarney at 5:35pm for Dublin by train and change trains at Mallow, accompanied by your Railtours Ireland host. Returning to Dublin Heuston at 9pm.
Important information
On this tour, we cannot offer twin, triple or family rooms. You will be assigned rooms based on the number of people in your group. For example, if you are a group of 5, you will be given 2 double rooms and one single room.
