Home > Baltic > Ireland > Cobh - Cork >

Charming Kinsale & Cork
Cobh Shore Excursions - Charming Kinsale & Cork City
 



Private Cork shore excursion from Cobh cruise port to the colorful seaside town of Kinsale, home to Charles Fort, a 17th century star shaped fortress, and the start of the Wild Atlantic Way. Enjoy free time in Kinsale, considered the gourmet capital of Ireland, then a driving tour of Cork city with stops at City Hall, St. Finbarr's Cathedral, and St. Anne's Cathedral. English speaking driver guide, private vehicle, round trip from Cobh. 8.5 hours.

8.5 hours (private)
private excursion
driver guide
english speaking local
all group sizes
sedan to full size coach
››
port or hotel
pick up either location
  • Pick up from Port or Hotel in Cobh / Cork
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • Private Vehicle with Driver-Guide for 2-6 people
  • Private Vehicle w/ Driver & a Licensed English Speaking Guide for 7 or more people
  • Included Visits- Charles Fort
Read Full Tour Description





Tour Number:
ICORK-05


Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $570 Per Person
3 People - $430 Per Person
4 People - $326 Per Person
5 People - $262 Per Person
6 People - $220 Per Person
7 People - $284 Per Person
8 People - $250 Per Person



Port / City*:


Month*:


Day*:


Year*:


Pick Up Time*:


Pick Up Location*:


Name of Ship or Hotel*:


TOUR DESCRIPTION
 

Kinsale & Cork City Shore Excursion

This Cork shore excursion visits the vibrant seaside town of Kinsale, known for its colorful houses, friendly locals, Charles Fort, and its position at the start of the Wild Atlantic Way. Later in the afternoon you enjoy a driving tour with photo stops around Cork city.

After meeting your driver guide at the pier in Cobh, you depart for Kinsale. Your first stop is Charles Fort, one of the best preserved examples of a 17th century star shaped fort in Ireland, built between 1677 and 1682. The fort has five large bastions overlooking either the estuary or the surrounding land, and it remained garrisoned by the British Army until 1922.

Next you head into the village, where you can stroll the colorful streets, browse local shops and boutiques, and enjoy free time for lunch, meal not included. Kinsale is widely considered the gourmet capital of Ireland.

Later in the afternoon you return to Cork city for a driving tour taking in historic landmarks such as City Hall, St. Finbarr's Cathedral, St. Patrick's Street, and St. Anne's Cathedral. Depending on your interests and the time available, you may also be able to stop at the English Market, whose origins trace to a charter granted under King James I in 1610, with the present building opening in 1788. If you enjoy your local farmer's market, you are likely to enjoy this one too.

At the end of the day you are brought back to the pier in Cobh.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Cork shore excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Cork tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.

What's Included

Included

  • Pick up from Port or Hotel in Cobh / Cork
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • Private Vehicle with Driver-Guide for 2-6 people
  • Private Vehicle w/ Driver & a Licensed English Speaking Guide for 7 or more people
  • Included Visits- Charles Fort

Not Included

  • Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
  • Personal shopping

Tour Timing

All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.

  • 1
    Meet Guide and Drive to Kinsale- 1 Hour
  • 2
    1 Hour
    Visit Charles Fort
  • 3
    3 Hours
    Visit Kinsale with Free Time
  • 4
    45 Minutes
    Return to Cork
  • 5
    1 Hour
    Cork Driving Tour
  • 6
    1 Hour
    Visit English Market
  • 7
    15 Minutes
    Return to pier in Cobh

Resources

Port of Cork - Cruise Information. Cobh cruise terminal, the meeting point for this tour Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there free time to shop or explore in Kinsale?
Yes. After visiting Charles Fort you have free time in Kinsale's village center to browse shops, boutiques, and enjoy lunch on your own.
Do we visit the English Market on this tour?
Only if time allows. This tour's focus is Kinsale and Charles Fort, with a Cork city driving tour in the afternoon that may include a stop at the English Market depending on your interests and the time available.
What is Charles Fort and how old is it?
Charles Fort is a star shaped fortress built between 1677 and 1682 to protect Kinsale harbor. It remained an active British Army post until 1922.
Why is Kinsale called the gourmet capital of Ireland?
Kinsale has one of Ireland's highest concentrations of restaurants relative to its size, a reputation that grew from its fishing harbor and seafood tradition.

Also Available:

›Highlights of Cork - Cork, Ireland shore excursion from Cork cruise port - private guided tour of Cork including the historic City Gaol and the famous English Market, one of Ireland's oldest covered food markets with a licensed English-speaking guide.
›Highlights of Blarney - Blarney Castle shore excursion from Cork cruise port - private guided tour - the Blarney Castle, which is one of the most famous sites in Ireland with a licensed English-speaking guide.
›Highlights of Belfast - Belfast shore excursion from Belfast cruise port - private guided tour - you enjoy a driving tour of the city plus visits to St. Anne's Cathedral and the city's beautiful Botanic Gardens with a licensed English-speaking guide.
›Best of Dublin - Dublin shore excursion from Dublin cruise port - private guided visit to the famous Doors of Dublin, the River Liffey, the Customs House, O'Connell with a licensed English-speaking guide.

Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee

Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›

Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Meet Guide and Drive to Kinsale- 1 Hour
  • Visit Charles Fort - 1 Hour
  • Visit Kinsale with Free Time - 3 Hours
  • Return to Cork - 45 Minutes
  • Cork Driving Tour - 1 Hour
  • Visit English Market - 1 Hour
  • Return to pier in Cobh - 15 Minutes

Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 11 Write a review »

  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Cork Thursday, July 23, 2026
Reviewer: Marlene S from Sumerside, PE Canada  
Tour was fabulous, our group had a wonderful time and were well taken care of! Would definitely recommend it!

Was this review helpful to you?

  2 of 2 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Cork Sunday, May 3, 2026
Reviewer: Roger F from Indian Trail, NC  
Our tour guide Maria in Belfast and Ronni in Cork were waiting for us at the dock and we quickly boarded the vans and started our wonderful tours in ireland. Our guides were very knowledgeable and flexible allowing us to stop and take photos at highlighted points of interest. Although we could have seen more of the country our group decided that a great lunch was in order so Maria called and made us a reservation at a wonderful restaurant in belfast. There we enjoyed a excellent meal and shopping.

Was this review helpful to you?

  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Cork Friday, November 7, 2025
Reviewer: Sal W from Howell, NJ D  
Your drivers were excellent! Thank you so much! We will definitely be intouch with future bookings.

Was this review helpful to you?

  2 of 2 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Cork Sunday, September 7, 2025
Reviewer: Ed J from Ed J. Ventura CA  
Just returned from London yesterday. Just wanted to let you know that all went well and the guides were outstanding. Had a fabulous time and looking forward to working with you again. The guides were very professional and on time. One was 30 minutes late, but we forgave him... He turned out to be a very good guide. I think it was in Belfast. Leaving for Honolulu for the month of August Wed, so have a lot to do before that date. Thanks again.

Was this review helpful to you?

  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Cork Monday, June 2, 2025
Reviewer: Veronica L from Miami, FL  
The group enjoyed the shore excursions very much. The tours guides were good, responsible and on time. Vehicles were also comfortable and not too cramped.   Will definitely be contacting you for my next cruise on Crystal leaving Barcelona on  October 2027.

Was this review helpful to you?

View All Customer Reviews