Best Castle Day Trips in Ireland — Our Top 15

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,944 reviews · 13 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $108Our pick

Review of the Blarney, Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle tour from Dublin, with practical advice on timing, value, steep steps and long bus rides.

“Great way to see some castles if you have limited time. It was like an hour wait to kiss the Blarney Stone, when we were here 18 years ago, there was no wait so we spent more time in the gardens. If you want to kiss the stone, don't go between May and September. Otherwise, nice relaxing tour, with lots of steps so if you are not very mobile, do not recommend.”

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2.Dublin to Cliffs of Moher, Ennis Town & Bunratty Castle Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,138 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Top rated

See the Cliffs of Moher, Ennis, and Bunratty Castle on a long but rewarding Dublin day tour with Wi-Fi and admissions included.

“Our tour guide Daniel was excellent. He went above and beyond! The driver Pag was amazing as well. Safety first..thank you!”

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3.Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and Ennis Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 944 reviews · from $56Best value

Review of Dublin’s 12-hour Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and Ennis tour, with practical advice on timing, value, transport and what to expect.

“THE EXCELLENT PROFESSIONALISM, INFORMATION AND VERY ENJOYABLE GUIDE NATALY. ALONG WITH THE LANDSCAPES AND THE CHARM OF GALWAY. THANK YOU!”

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4.Cobh (Cork) to Blarney Castle & Kinsale – Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 504 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $95

Review of the Cobh to Blarney Castle and Kinsale shore excursion, with practical advice on timing, crowds, value, walking, and port pickup.

“Extraordinary tour and historical descriptions! Native tour guide, up on all current events! Thanks!”

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5.Shore Excursion From Cork: Including Blarney Castle and Kinsale

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 470 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $107

Review of Paddywagon’s Cork shore excursion to Blarney Castle and Kinsale, with port transfers, castle admission, timing tips, and honest drawbacks.

“The bus got is to Blarney Castle. Although there was a bit of a language barrier. Our driver talked fast, so with his Irish accent, it was difficult for these old American ears to catch everything that was said. There was also an issue with his microphone cutting in and out. The driver was told we couldn't hear him but he gruffly told us he was using the mic. It was basically a bus ride.”

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6.Blarney Castle Full-Day Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 469 reviews · from $90

Review of the 13-hour Blarney Castle tour from Dublin, with Cork, Rock of Cashel, gardens, English Market, tips, value, and drawbacks.

“Mike was our driver and he was awesome! Personable, caring, funny and knowledgeable. The trip was great.”

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7.Dublin to Belfast, Dunluce Castle and Giant’s Causeway Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 12 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $66

Review of Dublin’s Belfast, Dunluce Castle, and Giant’s Causeway tour, with practical advice on timing, value, comfort, weather, and what to expect.

“Beautiful trip with good professional driver acting as guide. Covered Bushmill, Giant Causeway and Belfast”

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8.Full-Day Tour to Cork, Cobh and Blarney Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 155 reviews · from $158

Travel from Dublin to Blarney Castle, Cork, and Cobh by train and coach, with Irish history, coastal views, and a full day of sightseeing.

“Very nicely organized day tour. Some glitches on the return rail trip that led to confusion about seating, but that seemed to be the fault of the rail system.”

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9.Cliffs of Moher, Ennis, & Bunratty Castle Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 113 reviews · from $91

Review of Dublin’s Cliffs of Moher, Ennis, and Bunratty Castle tour, with timing, value, guide tips, sights, and practical advice.

“Keith was a total pro! The trip never dragged and the weather at the cliffs was perfect! Wish the full walking trail had been open, but a great day otherwise.”

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10.Full-Day Howth and Malahide Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 55 reviews · from $56

Review of Dublin’s Howth and Malahide Castle tour, with coastal views, castle gardens, lunch time, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“Very friendly Italian tour guide. The tour was done with an audio guide (which was a little slow to download). The visit to the castle was very interesting. The walk along the coast to Howth was very beautiful and fairly easy (45 minutes).”

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11.From Galway: Castles of Connemara Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 45 reviews · from $143

Review of the Castles of Connemara tour from Galway, with Aughnanure, Kylemore Abbey, Sky Road, Clifden, and practical tips.

“It was incredibly nice. Tony was a great guide. We loved ot”

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12.Ireland: Blarney Castle, Kilkenny & Irish Whiskey 3-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12 reviews · from $788

Review of Ireland’s 3-day Blarney, Kilkenny and whiskey tour, with Rock of Cashel, Kinsale, Cobh, Glendalough, costs and tips.

“The guide Marcus was very helpful and jovial. Wanted to see rural Ireland and this trip suited us. Love the arrangements done by Rabbie. The weather was an added bonus.”

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13.Malahide castle and Howth MULTILINGUAL full day tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $67

Explore Malahide Castle, Dublin Bay, and Howth on a multilingual day tour with coastal views, gardens, seals, and free time.

“There were so many sights to see and the staff was so helpful.”

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14.Private Boyne Valley and Trim Castle Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews

Review this private Boyne Valley and Trim Castle tour from Dublin, with Newgrange, Celtic sites, local lunch, hotel pickup, and practical tips.

“Although it was a damp and rainy very rainy day, Brian suggested we switch our tour to Wicklow Mountain National Park with a stop at Powerscourt and Guinness Lake. It turned out to be an excellent day culminated with a fine bowl of Irish Stew at Wicklow Hearthstone Restaurant.”

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15.Blarney Castle: Private Guided Day Tour from Dublin

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Review of a private Dublin to Blarney Castle tour with the Rock of Cashel, Cork, Blarney Stone, shopping, and practical planning tips.

“Don was amazing at telling us the history during the tour and allowing us the free time to explore. The Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle was fun and informative. We got to meet Sir Charles in the gardens!”

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