Over 400 years ago the fortification which is now Blackrock Castle was built at the river Lee where the narrowing channel leads to Cork, and has been part of the city’s history ever since. The fort allowed a safe passage for friendly ships and warded off invaders; today CIT Blackrock Castle is a research observatory, science centre & watch tower of the skies.

Join us on daily ‘behind the scenes’ tours of the Castle’s towers and dungeon where a local guide will take you on a trip back through the colourful history of Blackrock, Cork or into the future of blazars, quasars and the BCO Planet Search Programme. Tours include the turret observatory, research towers and the dungeon, a National Monument. Tours are included in the admission to Cosmos at the Castle and take place daily at 15:30, additional tours at 13:30 on weekends.

Monday – Friday  at 15:30

Saturday-Sunday at 13:30 and 15:30

Private, school, group and corporate tours can be arranged on application.