COBH, IRELAND

Our panoramic tour will introduce us to Cork, Ireland’s second city, which began life as an island in the swampy estuary of the River Lee, just upstream from Cork Harbour – one of the world’s largest natural harbours. Today the Lee flows through the city in two main channels, so we can find ourselves constantly crossing bridges – in fact, it is this feature that gives Cork its distinctively continental air.

Cork has become the shopping and commercial capital of the south. It is a university city with a unique character – a city of jazz, film, opera and theatre. However as well as offering the amenities of a large city, it still manages to retain the pleasant charm and friendliness of a country town. On our tour today, we will see the spires of St. Finbarr’s Cathedral, the old Courthouse, City Hall and the renowned Bells of Shandon.

Leaving the city, we travel eastwards to the village of Midleton, the place from which the famous Irish whiskey gets its name. A visit to the Jameson Heritage Centre and Old Jameson Distillery in Midleton will take us right into the heart of cherished whiskey-making tradition. We will enjoy an approximate 60-minute guided tour of this beautifully restored 18th century industrial complex, which includes a fully operational waterwheel and a copper still with a capacity of 32,000 gallons – the largest in the world. An audio-visual presentation will breathe life into the Irish whiskey legend.

After the history comes the tasting! We are invited to relax in the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub and sample Ireland’s finest whiskey. Following our tasting, we can visit the craft shop or coffee shop at Jameson Heritage Centre, where we can lose ourselves in the charm of another age.

Following our visit to the Old Jameson Distillery, we re-board our tour coach for the return journey to Cobh.

TOUR NOTES: Please note we will view Cork City from the coach. The tour of the distillery is made on foot (lasting approximately 45 minutes), and there will be approximately five steps to negotiate. Please note that some parts of the tour include uneven surfaces, which may not be suitable for wheelchair users. Toilet facilities are available at the distillery. Passengers are advised to wear flat, comfortable shoes with non-slip soles. A glass of whiskey (or a soft drink) is included. This tour may operate in reverse order.