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Recommended Reviews - Blarney Castle
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Blarney Castle is a must-see. It's a privately owned property. The gardens are spectacular. They're the greenest gardens I've ever seen. Each section in the garden has a theme. It's fun. The castle is surrounded by the gardens and a stream that flows around it. It's beautiful. Once inside, the stairs are a bit intimidating on your way to the top. The stone is an additional level higher than when you first arrive up. There's someone at the site to help with your Blarney stone kiss. Just don't look down! After you've kissed the Blarney, be sure to make your way to the coffee and gift shop. Grab an Irish or Bailey's coffee and soak it all in. Congratulations on your adventure. read more
5 days ago
And to think I almost decided against going here! It was easy to get to by bus and we went first thing in the morning which meant we beat the crowds, which I'm sure made it much more enjoyable. I am so grateful for all the signs saying how tricky the trip up to the Blarney Stone is because I made the choice not to go. My husband went by himself and said I'd never have managed. The gardens were spectacular. We easily spent a couple hours in there. It was like a fairytale. Super good use of half a day. read more
The Blarney Castle is impressive-there's just no other way to say it. The way the castle was constructed may not live up to today's standards in modern comfort and luxury, but protection from intruders was most important. The narrow, winding staircase would be enough to deter bad guys from finding their way around. (As well as tourists who aren't sure on their feet or have any physical limitations-may want to sit this one out.) Of course, there's the Blarney Stone, which you can visit when you make your way to the top of the castle. I lucked out and didn't have to wait too long, and I'm glad I made the trek. It's worth seeing even just once. Sure, you can kiss it (I did!) and they will happily take your picture and sell it to you at the souvenir shop. Pro tip-have your friend snap one for you if you don't want to fork over the money. The gardens are impressive too! Be sure to check out the poison garden-where every plant and flower is toxic in one way or another. It's wild to see Opium just growing innocently. If you visit during the fall, you'll not only skip the lines, but you'll also be delighted with the beautiful colors of the leaves changing. Plan several hours here-there's a lot to see and take in. read more
We decided at the last minute to visit Blarney Castle, so we bought tickets online on the same day. We got there at around 4 PM on a Monday, which was pretty late, considering they close at 5. But our time in Cork was limited and that was the only day we were free to visit. We spent about an hour and a half. Turns out the last entry is at 5, and they don't kick you out right at 5. It was a rushed visit and we could have used some more time there, but we wanted to also make it to the Blarney Woolen Mills, which closes at 6. During our visit, we still managed to have enough time to climb up the castle to kiss the Blarney Stone, all while towing an 8 month old baby! It wasn't easy (for my husband) since he was the one with the carrier. It was definitely an experience but if you can go without a baby, I would recommend that. FYI - the rock is not really a rock but it's more of a castle wall. I had first visited 12 years ago in 2013, and I remember them sanitizing between each person but I don't recall seeing it this time. Or maybe it went by so fast that I missed it. Supposedly if you kiss the stone, you get the gift of gab. It didn't seem to work either time for me (lol), but it was still a lot of fun, especially since I got to bring my daughter this time. We did have to wait probably about half an hour to kiss the stone. I'd recommend visiting the castle when it opens, going straight to the stone, and then exploring the rest of the grounds. It's definitely touristy but it was a fun/must-see tourist spot if you find yourself in Cork. read more
5 months ago
This was my favorite castle in Ireland. The grounds, the actual castle, kissing the stone. It has so much to offer. We went on off season as well so we got to walk right up to kissing the stone. So much history as you were walking around. The gardens are also really beautiful. You have to make this a stop while you are in Ireland. There is a reason it's the most famous! read more
Beautiful grounds and property. Everything is spaced out so it doesn't feel crowded but you don't have to walk crazy far to see things. If you have mobility issues most of the walk areas are pretty flat. There are stairs if you want to see the stone and keep in mind that the wait can get long at certain times. There are places to grab food, use the restrooms, and there is a gift shop. Right outside there are amazing wool and other shops and restaurants. read more
A "must" on the Ireland travel bucket list. We got to the castle just as it was opening, and there was a line out the bottom of the castle. We made sure to stop in the front and get an Irish coffee for the wait. We waited in line for over an hour to kiss the Blarney Stone. You literally have to get on your back and arch yourself to kiss the stone upside down. Great experience and impressive castle. The grounds are vast, with a position garden and parks. Definitely worth a stop if you're in Ireland. read more
If you're like me, then a visit to kiss the Blarney Stone is a must when visiting Ireland. It's definitely not for everyone, but I felt it was a worthwhile activity. The Blarney Castle is an austere building on a misty hill (on the day we went) in Cork. It has super pretty verdant gardens around it, so there are cool sights to see from the top of the castle when you get up there. While you wind your way up the steps inside the castle toward the top, it can get a little claustrophobic, but once at the top it's so airy up there, you'll be relieved to be up so high. You will actually hold onto a rope while you ascend the steps, to make sure you don't fall! Once you get to the kissing spot, it's a little awkward of a process - you lay on your back, hold on to two bars on either side, and an attendant holds you while you lean forward and give the stone a big kiss. Yes, there are wives tales of what people "do" to the stone and also the worry of how many people have done the kissing before you, but sometimes you have to go with the flow and do the thing you came to do! *MWAH* read more
2 years ago
Don't go when it's rainy! Not a pleasant experience in the rain. You have to walk a lot just to get to the castle. And walking through the grounds in rain and mud isn't fun at all. Plus if you plan on climbing the castle and going to the Blarney Stone, the rocks will be slippery! We had people in our tour slip and fall multiple times. Blarney Castle is awesome. It's so big and magnificent! The gardens and cafe are fun to hit also while you are there. If you want to climb the castle to kiss the Blarney Stone, notice the warning. The climb is steep and the stairs are narrow! Plus it's really high up. Some people started having panic attacks and freezing up in fear. So, think about how you do with heights before you go. Once you enter the stairs, you can't go back. There's no way to go back, because people will be behind you climbing up. It is about 120 steps to climb up. 120 steep, narrow and possibly slippery steps if it is raining. I wasn't able to go up. I'm not in shape to be doing that, and I'm really clumsy lol Not gonna break my neck to climb the castle. A great landmark to visit! 10/10 read more
To be honest, skip the Blarney Stone experience. It's weird and awkward and there's no good photo op of it. I didn't even get close to the stone (wherever it is). So it's just a photo of a guy holding you while you lay upside down. But I waited so long in line -- which wasn't even that long since we went first thing in the morning -- that I felt obligated to do it. They should just pick a fake Blarney Stone and lie to us and tell us that's the real stone if it means I don't have to lay down and have a stranger hold me to take a photo. These are all negative comments, so why do I give it 5 stars? The grounds are BEAUTIFUL. It's such a peaceful walk. A wonderful respite for an introvert who needs some quiet time. I could have spent all day walking in the woods. read more
7 months ago
2 years ago
One of the more famed castles in Ireland which has become a must stop for tourists! I enjoyed my time here with my tour group! Of course Blarney Castle is known for the rock at the top where you lay upside down and kiss the Blarney Stone in hopes of acquiring the "gift of the gab". There was a super long line to get to the top so my friends and I actually skipped this part! Many in my tour group did the same and chose to spend our time exploring the vast gardens instead. The property is so beautiful. There is SO much to see and we so lucked out with the weather being gorgeous. There are signs posted throughout that give a brief overview of what you are looking at/the section you're in. I would definitely recommend saving time during your visit to explore. So many picture worthy sights and I loved the gift shops here too of course. read more
Blarney Castle is a must-visit in Ireland. The grounds are stunning, the history is fascinating, and kissing the famous Blarney Stone is a fun bucket-list moment. Wear comfy shoes -- there's a bit of climbing -- but the views from the top are worth every step. read more
Many, many years ago the San Antonio Shamrock Society used to hold an event at The University of The Incarnate Word. It was meant to highlight Irish Culture in our city. One of its main attractions was a replica of the Blarney Stone. Although it wasn't in the Blarney Castle it still left an indelible impression on me. It was on the ground far away from its gloried five flights. I did kiss that replica but I thought one day I would make a trip to experience it firsthand. I have always had an affinity for Ireland. Enter a trip to Europe where tickets purchased to see Ozzy Osborne only to have his Dublin date canceled. So I was left searching for things to do in its absence. In a heartbeat traveling to Blarney Stone was at the top of my list. A thing about Ireland is there exists a magical realism reflected in its lore and landscape. It is very similar to Latin American particularly Mexican Culture in that sense. Historical monuments like Blarney Castle should not be considered just as structures but contain fantastical properties. It is abundant all around. Me and my company arrived here right before it opened. Visitors were slowly trickling in at this point. If you can I suggest you buy tickets online to expedite the process quicker. And a friendly reminder carry Euros with you at all times. You should use them when paying for parking. The grounds are lush with green and every type of shrubbery imaginable in bloom. I saw tourists with huge backpacks or were wearing shoes meant for a fancy date thereafter. Leave them behind. Dress comfortably but know even in the summer it is still cool here. As a person who is afraid of heights looking at its base then the top made me nervous. But whatever distance you have traversed you should do it. Once inside I could sense its immensity. A video of the Castle's history is on repeat before you even start. So we made our way through its stairwell. A family of three was before us. Not even a flight of stairs in a lady from their company had a panic attack. She was sobbing miserably, afraid to go any further. She was apologetic that her meltdown had somehow effected our experience. We offered for her to climb with us. But her fright got the best of her. In her defense the flight of stairs are long-winding, narrow and claustrophobic. There are ropes, places to grip that guide you to the top. It is an extremely helpful tool. In hindsight getting there early allowed us to travel at our own pace. That alleviated most of the pressure I had with my nervousness. Along the way there are small rooms that serve to " catch your breath." I peered into one quickly only to see the distance downward. When we finally made the trek to the top there were two men waiting. One cleans the wall as you kiss it with Windex. The other helps you position yourself. I saw one person refuse to kiss the stone. Which is basically the Castle's wall because of the hygienic implications. At this point any surface touched by hand even kiss is compromised. (I know Covid is no where near over, I'm already over it.) You are positioned on your back. Beneath you are safety bars that make it impossible for you to fall. In addition as you kiss the wall staff takes your picture, which can be purchased downstairs for twenty- something(ish) dollars. Even if you are afraid of heights I implore you to look at the Castle's landscape from the top. Before you leave. I tend to not be superstitious nor easily lulled by the supernatural but I felt a presence. As if someone were guiding me through the stairs. Even in the entrance way as I was watching the video I felt something next to me. To me there is a magical realism at hand here. Or maybe it was the Guinness talking from the night before. Furthermore I know the garden's ground is vast with much more to see but by then more tourists arrived. A replica and the genuine article are two different things. I will not soon forget my trip here. On the way down one of the men said by kissing the stone you are bestowed with the gift of gab. Or eloquence. I'm still waiting . Any day now. read more
2 years ago
I didn't climb to the top and kiss the stone because the line was long but I still enjoyed visiting the outside of the castle and the grounds. They have plenty of places to shop and eat as well! read more
1 year ago
Blarney Castle is a "Must Visit" attraction in Ireland. Of course when you are at Blarney Castle, then you should kiss the Blarney Stone!! Kiss a stone? Why? It is said that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, then you will receive the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness!! So, did I kiss the stone? You bet I did!! Do I now have the gift of the gab (eloquence, skill at flattery, and persuasiveness)? Hmmm......maybe!! Probably depends on who you ask. Lol!! The journey to the Blarney Stone is very scenic. The castle grounds are beautifully photogenic. We spent a couple of hours at Blarney Castle exploring the gardens, grounds, and Castle. We did this after lining up to kiss the Blarney Stone though. First thing we did, was walk over to the Castle so we could wait in line to climb up the castle's narrow and winding staircases to do the deed. Fortunately, we beat most of the buses loaded with tourists so our wait took less than an hour. Surprisingly or maybe not so surprising there were many folks who decided NOT to kiss the Blarney Stone. "The Blarney Stone is a block of Carboniferous limestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle. It was set into a tower of the castle in 1446". So how do you kiss the Blarney Stone? Well, you have to lie on your back grab the handrails and lean way way back upside down so you can get close enough to kiss this special stone. Lots of folks choose not to do that for various reasons. They may be afraid of heights. It is located up high on one of the castle towers, and there is a good size hole that you squeeze through to give a nice peck. By the way, you can see the ground from that hole too. Also some people may not want to kiss a stone that thousands of other folks have kissed already. They do wipe the stone with cloths after each visitor though. Still, you never know what germs you may pick up. Didn't bother me, though. I traveled many kilometers to the Emerald Isle of Ireland so I was going to kiss that Blarney Stone no matter what. Overall, it was a wonderful bucket list experience visiting Blarney Castle. The entire area is just so BEAUTIFUL!!!! Even if I had not done the Blarney Stone experience it still would have been a 5 star experience for me. Loved it all!! read more
Very nice grounds. Privately run and not under the park service. I don't get the appeal of kissing the stone though I'm in the minority. The line was very long. Money has been well invested and the care clearly shows. read more
8 months ago
We just got back from several weeks in the British Isles...England, Scotland, Ireland, North Ireland and France. We sailed on the Princess Regal. Here we are on the ship and in Blarney, with my husband, born in 1950, kissing the stone. Well done, Joe Campbell!! read more
3 years ago
A must-do for tourists. Booked our tickets online in advance but tickets are available for purchase there. Cash and credit card accepted on the premises. Water was 2 euros at the gift shop. There were toilets available throughout the grounds. Kissing the Blarney Stone was on my bucket list for Ireland, and given that we were here on a Monday during off-season, there was no wait. We did see signs that indicated wait times of 60-90 min wait times for the stone. Note that the stairs were very narrow and there's no railing. If you're afraid of heights, you may wish to reconsider going up. However, the employees working at the top were lovely and also help secure you while you're hanging upside down. There are photos available for purchase but I would recommend having a friend film the process. There was a private farm on the grounds as well as stables converted into a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. A picnic would be lovely on the grounds. It's good for kids as well as first time visitors. It was easily accessible via Bus from Cork City Center. Overall, a really fun afternoon outing. read more
3 years ago
This catle was probably the best castle ruins experience we had in Ireland. Your admission pays for entry into the entire estate, which is expansive and beautiful. If I was planning the trip again, this would be a lovely place to spend the better part of a day. While the details of the castle and the stone are fast enough to get through, the grounds could be wandered for hours. There are so many fields, woods, and gardens with well maintained paths, I felt the itch to put on running shoes and just go get lost through them. There were beautiful picnic spots and plenty of gardens with botanical informative signs. The additional residence on the grounds (still privately owned) was also beautiful and fun to photograph. As we were here during the off-season, the castle itself only took us about a half hour to go through. Several floors in various dilapidated states and lots of tiny little rooms you can't imagine to have ever been cozy. It was fun to be able to climb the many stairs and passages exploring. At the top you're rewarded with some incredible views of the surrounding countryside. The Blarney stone was less exciting. If it had been packed, we'd have waited in what was roped off to suggest a pretty ridiculous line. We walked right up, and two attendants help you lay on your back and kiss a stone (that looks like all the other castle stones with no particular distinction) upside-down.. Seemed a tad unsanitary and unnecessary. I just photographed the stone, but my friends did the whole bit. The caves below the castle were far more interesting in my opinion. Overall, I wouldn't go again for the stone (especially because the history of it is very shaky), but the castle is worth a view, and the gardens and grounds are divine. read more
Just walking into the entrance garden I was in awe of the most beautiful blossom tree. The castle is huge and beautiful with so much history. The day we visited wasn't too crowded but it still took a while to go all the way up with the narrow steps. We didn't know we were waiting in line to kiss the Blarney Stone lol I guess our tour guide did not explain this stop that well. You are hung for a quick upside down and they also take a picture of you while kissing the stone. But no way I'm gonna kiss centuries of saliva and covid ewww! I just kinda pretend to boop it plus my back almost didn't make it. There are also cafes and souvenir stores all around the castle . We actually got the BEST ever crunchy & cheese toastie here. It was SO delicious. The seating area for the cafe is also where the stalls for the horses used to be so that was pretty cool. read more
Yes, I did kiss the Blarney Stone. Yes, they do clean it after someone kisses it. Come early as possible since there will inevitably be a line and the less time in line, the less time in the potentially hot hot sun. Consider having some euro coins on you to tip the people that help you kiss the stone--it looks like a hard job, especially when the sun is beating down. Did I feel any different after kissing the stone? Yes. Some people get their speaking confidence from life experience, taking classes, boobs jobs, or mentors, but you can cut all that out and just kiss the stone to achieve the gift of gab. read more
Go for the Blarney Castle/Stone... stay for the Gardens! This is absolutely a must-do on the things to see while visiting Ireland. In general the Blarney Castle feels like it was just going to be a major tourist trap, but once we were inside of the gardens, we realized that the 60 acres had so much more to offer. We got lucky and the weather was absolutely beautiful, with partly cloudy skies and no rain. We started by checking out the gift shop... I actually thought I needed socks, but it ended up being really crowded on the way out, so now I would say this is a *PRO TIP* to start your visit at the gift shop. We arrived around 11:30 and grabbed a bite to eat (watch out for the ruthless crows) before venturing off (in hindsight, we probably should've brought our water and rain coats too, but it worked out just fine, luckily...). We immediately got in line for the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone because the line can be upwards of 90 minutes long and if it had been pouring rain, I can't even imagine what that would be like. Our wait was about 30 minutes and went by fast, as they did a great job putting up informational signs along the way to teach you about the 5 different levels of the castle and the history of the castle and gardens. The castle itself is extremely impressive and the biggest one we've seen, ever. Even if you do not want to kiss the stone, the castle is still pretty cool to see. The stairwell is original and VERY narrow and steep, so I would warn anyone with a fear of heights, claustrophobia, or physically unable to climb back down the stairs, NOT to venture up to the top. We of course kissed the stone, got our pictures, and explored the castle before heading all the way down. Once the most touristy part of our day was behind us, we casually found our way through the rest of the gardens. Admittedly, we did not see every part but we did work our way around to the poison garden, the fern garden, the bee house, the lake and dock, the Blarney House, the loop around the fairy hideout, the jungle, the waterfall, the rock close, the lookout tower, the caves, AND the bridges on our way out. Details below: The gardens are so tidy and expansive, really awe-inspiring... and nothing like we've seen before. If you venture off the main path, you'll be rewarded with a secluded walk through vine covered trees in the poison garden, everything in a vibrant green around you. The fern garden is super peaceful and overwhelms you with a sense of calm. The bee house is so cute, especially for kids... You can see the hives and learn a little about their bee habitat (save the bees!). The lake is absolutely stunning, especially on a clear, sunny day. Overall the walk to the lake was long but super relaxing and we still hadn't seen it all! When we got to the Blarney house, there were donkeys, horses and cows in the fields. As we worked our way through the gardens, we came up to the playground and signs to the fairy hideout and again, everything was just so clean, tidy, and beautiful in the ways that nature is. We found some huge trees, spruce (native to CA) and unique archways. Before leaving we took the extra steps to clean through the "jungle" and glad we did because it really wasn't too much farther and we got to see the gorgeous waterfalls. The other areas nearby the castle are the rock close and the lookout tower. Our last stop was the caves... So cool! It was a short walk but you have to bend down the whole time walking through, because it is only about 4.5 feet tall but totally worth it because it is really unique and nice and cool inside. 10/10 recommend the gardens and if we lived locally, then we would definitely get and annual pass. For more recommendations and tips from our Ireland trip... Follow @vanmblin read more
I have to make a confession, when planning our trip to Ireland I had planned on traveling in the northern part of Ireland. I wasn't dismissing the other half of the island but I wanted to limit my driving especially since I would be driving on the wrong side of the road :( I also wanted to avoid being in the car all day. I figured I would come back to Ireland one day and do the south end of the island but the wife and some friends all said "you have to go to Blarney Castle". I watched several videos on YouTube and all said how beautiful it was BUT one said if you are claustrophobic or had fear of heights "you may want to rethink this landmark". Damn, I kinda have both. My initial plans were a mistake, this is a MUST visit place. The climb was awful only because I am way too overweight; but honestly, it wasn't that bad. I climbed into the spiral staircase and the mind started to work on me but I quickly quelched those thoughts and after that is wasn't that hard. There are plenty of places to visit between floors. They are both interesting and give persons of all ages and physical conditions the ability to rest and gather their breath. I saw many persons into their 70's + passing me by on their way to the top. At the top, the fear of height wasn't too bad because it is all being done so quickly and it is just a process. There are some openings that are kind of crazy to look down but those can be avoided, until you get to the Blarney Stone. That is one of the openings where you go backwards and kiss the stone. The girl in front of me was under 5' tall and she kind of freaked out because her butt would have gone past the edge of the ledge that we all used to sit on. There were two metal vertical bars to grab onto but because of her height, she couldn't do the bars and keep her butt on the ledge. I'm 5'8" and had no problems. Having said all that the GARDENS ARE INCREDIBLE to explore. Just enjoying the green fields, trees and rivers is a great way to enjoy Ireland. I think I may have enjoyed walking the gardens even more. Strolling in a lush green trail under a canopy of trees is an amazing way to reflect on the beauty of this country, this area and His blessings. Near the coach house, we enjoyed a Bailey's and coffee with a raison scone. I am glad I listened to my wife and all our friends that suggested we come here. Worth the drive from Dublin. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Awesome and a must see if you come to Ireland. Climb the 180 stairs to the top of the castle and then kiss the Blarney Stone! read more
2 years ago
Loved Blarney Castle, House, and Gardens! The whole grounds were so beautiful! Would highly recommend stopping here if visiting West Ireland. And make sure to kiss the Blarney Stone! read more
This review is for a pre-COVID experience. I would argue that every Yelp Elite has the gift for gab. Think about it, why are we so opinionated about food, service, ambiance?? Now if you kiss the Blarney Stone - you will join many who've done this. Will you have the gift? Maybe. Do they clean the Blarney Stone? I don't believe so. Although the main focus is to kiss the Blarney Stone - which may not be the best option due to COVID right now, the grounds and castle are quite wonderful. There's a long procession leading up to kissing the stone and you're able to enjoy the Castle and the views from up high. The castle is 600 years old - wow!! The trails, trees, mansions, etc. - are all great to take in and experience. Make sure to bring an umbrella - this is Ireland, after all. I hope to come back as soon as possible. :) read more
Pre COVID my sister and I visited Ireland on a Brendan tour. The Blarney Castle was one of the highlights of the tour. The grounds were amazing and we were treated by a bagpiper. The castle itself was amazing. The stairs climbing to the top were narrow! I'm really afraid of heights but was determined to "kiss the stone." Remember, this was before COVID. "Kissing the stone" was scary as hell, as you are hanging off (gripping bars) the side of the castle, but they did have good grip on me as well. There's the typical souvenir shops on the grounds, a pub where my sister and I grabbed a drink afterwards, I was still shaking! Since COVID, once everything reopens, don't know if kissing the stone will be allowed, I probably wouldn't, but a very unique, fun once in a lifetime experience. read more
A couple things to know about Blarney Castle..... 1. The Blarney Stone is an attraction in itself and brings people from all over the world looking for the ""gift of gab" 2. The castle alone is well worth the price of admission and a quick train ride from Dublin to Cork. Great stories both legend and fact. Beautiful views everywhere you look. And finally #3 and the one I didn't know until I got there..... The castle grounds and amazing!!!! You need to make the additional time and walk around. The site has done a great job of mapping out locations on the property that are steeped in legend. The Druid stones, witches kitchen and wishing stairs, and seven sisters make for a fun little treasure hunt. I had a great time. You will too. read more
You have to visit Blarney Castle if you are in the Cork Ireland area. This was the first and only castle I've ever visited so I was in a bit of awe. One we entered the grounds were so beautiful, lush, and green. There was a creek with a small bridge on the way to the castle and the flowers and birds surrounding it was picturesque within itself. Anyway in order to get to the castle, there is a path to follow and once you enter its amazing to see how narrow the stairwell was to get to each level and section of the castle. There are write ups in each section and room explaining its use and features. But for many, the top is the main event. At the top of the castle, I was quickly surprised at how high we were although it didn't seem as high on the ground looking up. There was a walk stopping area to get the full view of the ground. Now if you are looking to get the the gift of gab, kissing the Blarney Stone is for you. While I watched many experience missing the stone, I did not as I'm a bit of a germaphobe. But all in all, an entertaining experience. The last portion of the grounds that's I had a chance to check out was the flower garden, it was beautiful and worth checking out as well. But I was pretty tired at that point. So we ended our day at the cafe and enjoyed a scone and beverages. Both times I went it was an amazing day! read more
2 years ago
The grounds and castle were beautiful. We absolutely loved our trip here in August. Parking was fine and they had multiple areas to get food. A lot of people talk about the castle, which is amazing, but the grounds are fairly large with other interesting sites like the Poison Garden (complete with cannabis), Stable Yard, Arboretum area, and Fern Garden. I would highly recommend exploring the whole grounds and not just the castle. The line to see and or kiss the stone was all the way to outside of the forecastle, so we bypassed that but spent a lot of time on the upper walls by the Poison Garden and Stable area. You can see the stone from below and see the poor people being helped under the area to kiss it, which is pretty funny to watch! Seating can be limited in the eatery areas so be aware of that. read more
2 years ago
It is an amazing place to visit. Be prepared to climb the small narrow walkway and stairs of the castle. read more
What a cool place. We went their as a group. We went all the way up to the top and looked around. It's a tight walk. I did not kiss the rock. Some of the team did I choose not to. What a nice place to walk around. We went to the court and had a drink. It's a must stop read more
We lucked out with beautiful weather and got to walk around the extensive gardens for quite a while. We visited in September and crowds actually weren't too bad, which surprised us. Although we didn't wait the hour-long wait to get to the top of the castle, it was fun walking around the grounds and learning more about its history. We would definitely recommend the stop! For road trippers who are planning on stopping at Blarney Castle on the way to your next destination, they have a few cafes on the property with sandwiches that were fine, and coffee that was ok (push button machine style coffee, not super strong). They also had nice clean facilities and a big gift shop. read more
This was a must for my mom and me. She had been once decades before, now it was time to pass the tradition on to my generation. The castle sits quietly, covered in foliage over the centuries, it looks just so and as it should be, so fitting in such a wet and lush green country like Ireland. It was a cold and damp day, as was most of our days while in Ireland in fact. It is good distance and walk to the castle, be sure to have good walking shoes on and it's a steep and narrow spiral stairwell to get to the stone. You must be helped to lean back to kiss the stone. I remember a moment of terror wondering if teens come here at night and leave unpleasant fluids on this stone at all, hope not, we kissed the stone. The castle and grounds are a relic and something to see. read more
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