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Free tour

Cork Rebel Experience: Walking Tour with Trivia

4.69
Acceptable(58)
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Languages: English and Spanish
PRO
Registered on 4 November 2023
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Welcome, but some friendly advice first: Want something a little deeper than another city tours? I'm an actor, teacher, polyglot (speak 9 languages) and a lover of history, books and ideas. If you just want to take photos to put on social media, have little interest in history and really don’t like walking, then PLEASE BOOK A DIFFERENT TOUR!!! If you are intellectually curious and like to think and discover, then let me take you through the streets of Cork - the Real Capital of Ireland. I’m Ayoub, founder and guide of Free Rebel Tours in Cork. I have super international background, having lived in Ireland, Slovakia, Spain, Morocco, Italy and some other places. I speak 9 languages fluently and have visited almost every European country. This allows me to connect with visitors from all over the world and make the tour accessible in multiple languages. I am a teacher a professional actor with experience in film, television, and theatre, including performances with well-known actors such as Samuel L. Jackson (The Office), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction) and Kristofer Hivju (The Game of Thrones). My theatrical training influences the way I run tours: storytelling and interactive engagement make Cork’s history and culture come alive. Visitors often comment that the tour feels lively, personal, and very human. I started Free Rebel Tours because I noticed a gap in Cork for tours that combined history, culture, food, and interactive storytelling. My goal is to show the real Cork – from the university to the English Market, Shandon Bells, and hidden corners – in a way that is informative, engaging, and enjoyable for everyone.
Free reservation and cancellation
Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

Welcome, but some friendly advice first: Want something a little deeper than another city tours? I'm an actor, teacher, polyglot (speak 9 languages) and a lover of history, books and ideas. If you just want to take photos to put on social media, have little interest in history and really don’t  like walking, then PLEASE BOOK A DIFFERENT TOUR!!! If you are intellectually curious and like to think and discover, then let me take you through the streets of Cork - the Real Capital of Ireland. 


This tour starts at University College Cork, one of the most beautiful campuses in Europe. Please note we are the only tour in Cork that includes the University Campus tour. We’ll walk through the historic Quadrangle, the Honan Chapel with its famous stained glass, and the university grounds that mix Gothic buildings with modern student life.

From there, we’ll trace the story of Cork back to its beginnings at St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, built on the site where the city was founded in the 7th century.

We’ll then visit Nano Nagle Place, a hidden spot that tells the story of education, religion, and social change in Cork.

In the city centre, we’ll explore the Grand Parade with the National Monument and the statue of Michael Collins – two powerful reminders of Cork’s role in Ireland’s fight for independence.

At the halfway point, we stop in the English Market, where you can try food from around the world and see why it has been the city’s food heart for centuries.

The walk continues past the Crawford Art Gallery, the Cork Opera House, and the site of the Old Butter Market, once a key part of Cork’s global trade. Finally, we’ll cross the River Lee to the Shandon area, where we’ll see the Shandon Bells and St. Anne’s Cathedral, Cork’s most famous landmark.

To keep things fun, the tour also includes a Ireland Trivia Quiz with small prizes.

Our guides usually come from a theatre background, so the tour feels more like a fun play than a lecture. It’s relaxed and interactive – people often say in their reviews that they enjoyed not only learning about Cork, but also meeting each other and sharing a very human experience.


Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:
22A Western Rd, Mardyke, Cork, T12 CX94, Ireland
We are meeting in front of the Main Gates of University College Cork ) opposite to the Green Frog Café).
1
Outside visit
University College Cork
Founded in 1845, this is one of Ireland’s most beautiful campuses. The neo-Gothic Quadrangle and the Honan Chapel make it feel historic, yet it’s full of student life today.
2
Outside visit
Ogham Stone Collection
A hidden gem on the UCC campus, this corridor houses one of Ireland’s largest collections of ogham stones. Inscribed with the earliest form of Irish writing, these ancient stones form a fascinating link between Celtic heritage and the vibrant life of today’s university.
3
Outside visit
Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral
Built on the site where Cork began in the 7th century. Its spires and stone carvings tell stories of faith, art, and the city’s first foundations.
Tour map

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour reviews

4.69
Acceptable(58)
Generic
45
9
3
1
0
By category
Professionalism
4.71
Fun
4.75
Communication
4.77
Quality
4.49
Route
4.60

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Accepts bookings of up to 20 people.
Pets
Suitable for bringing pets.

What should I know?

Minimum attendees
Requires a minimum of 5 people to conduct the tour.
Additional costs
The tour does not require payment for entries or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or card payment accepted.
Cork Rebel Experience: Walking Tour with Trivia
Cancellation risk
This guru has cancelled 5 of the last 6 bookings for this tour.
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