Blarney, Rock of Cashel & Cahir Castles Day Tour From Dublin

Great day! Great tour! The Extreme Ireland tour company actually changed this tour a bit from the title. Due to touring time constraints, there was no visit to Cork. This allowed more time to spend at the three castles: Blarney, Cahir, and the Rock of Cashel. Our tour guide, Noel, a retired school teacher, was a hoot! Very dry, but liked to sing to us. He was a very knowledgeable and enjoyable guide. Our first stop, Blarney Castle, where we stood in line for about 45 or 50 mins which was short compared to the line when we left to kiss the Blarney Stone. The line wound up the many staircases of the castle, and though narrow in spots, was a very cool climb to the top. And, of course, the views from the top were beautiful! If kissing the Blarney Stone is something you want to do, then stand in line right away otherwise, you risk running out of time at this stop. As such, after the Blarney Stone line, we had to forego exploring the grounds further in order to eat lunch. We grabbed a quick bite at Christys Pub in the Woolen Center, across the street from the castle. Lunch was delicious and the room was nice and warm! We thawed as we ate! Then, back on the bus and onward to Cahir Castle, picturesquely situated in Cahir town center, in County Tipperary. This castle is bordered by rushing water and a swan-dotted partial moat. It is a beautifully intact castle. We had a brief guided tour of the exterior, and then time to roam the rooms ourselves. Then, back on the bus and onto the Rock of Cashel, another very cool castle! Walked up a steep incline to get to the castle entrance. Then enjoyed the brief, but interesting, historical movie before exploring the grounds on our own. Then, back on the bus for the ride back to Dublin.