COBH, IRELAND

Leaving the city, we will 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 the cherished whiskey-making tradition.

Our panoramic tour will introduce us to Cork – Ireland’s second city. Cork 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 that you can find yourself 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 many amenities of a large city, it still manages to retain the pleasant charm and friendliness of a country town. 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 will 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 the cherished whiskey-making tradition. We will enjoy a 60 minute guided tour of this beautifully restored 18th century industrial complex, which includes an operational waterwheel and a copper still with a capacity of 32,000 gallons – the largest in the world. An audio-visual presentation breathes 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. Afterwards we can visit the craft shop or the coffee shop at Jameson Heritage Centre. Following our visit to the Old Midleton Distillery, we reboard our coach for the short drive back to our awaiting ship at Cobh.

Please note that we will view the city from the coach. The tour of the distillery is on foot (lasting approximately 1 hour). We recommend that you wear flat, comfortable shoes with non-slip soles. The distillery is wheelchair-friendly. A glass of whiskey (or a soft drink) is included. This tour may operate in a reverse order.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2008 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES