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Recommended Reviews - Blarney Castle
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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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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*
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
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.
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.
We stayed in Cork and it was only a 20 minute drive to the castle. Such a beautiful set of grounds to walk around and of course get to keep as the Blarney Stone.
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.
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.
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!
3 years ago
It is an amazing place to visit. Be prepared to climb the small narrow walkway and stairs of the castle. read more
Blarney Castle was another one of my favorite places we visited in Ireland. One of the vendors at my work highly recommend that I visit the county where she was born and raised - Cork, Ireland. Blarney Castle is beautiful, it was quite a trek up the castle to the top where you are assisted hanging upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the Blarney stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. Eloquence? I had to google it while I was there - fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing/clearly expressing or indicating something. Everything here was beautiful once you enter, the gardens, the rock close (I took a couple steps and opted to turn back around. Tip: do not wear expensive shoes or mules!) My mistake, but I still made it up to kiss the Blarney Stone! I must admit, it was not easy. I recommend wearing tennis shoes or flats. Laying down and hanging while holding the bars isn't scary at all, there's a man holding you so that you don't slip. They also have a little café on site where they sell Irish coffees and other snacks and beverages, very convenient. It was the perfect day out. We came here early in the morning, there was no wait for the stone! The whole property is very well maintained and beautiful, you can seriously spend hours here. Tip: Admission is 18 euros and parking is free and easy. Also, do not hesitate kissing the stone, you won't regret it and plus they take a picture of you kissing the stone. 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
The Blarney Castle, home of the legendary Blarney Stone, but there is oh so much more to behold here. Let's start with the main attraction; the castle and the Blarney Stone on the very top of the castle. The castle is one of the most intact castles I visited on my trip, and it was really cool to see. The steps up to the very top of the castle, where the stone is, are very steep and often located in round towers, so the steps are very narrow at points. Make sure you know what you are in for before you make the journey to the top. Some of the signs outside stated "90 minutes from this point to kiss the Blarney Stone." Luckily, on the day we were there, we were able to walk right up the steps, and once we got to the rooftop, there were only 8 or 9 people ahead of us to lean out over the edge and kiss the stone, so things moved really quick for us. The grounds that the castle stands on are very beautiful and well manicured. Lush, green foliage everywhere you look, and there are 9 different garden areas you can explore. Plenty of trails through the woods and around a small lake as well. My favorite garden was the Poison Garden. They have all kinds of plants that were (and some that are still) used for medicinal purposes, or to make people sick. One thing I found interesting was a single cannabis plant in the garden. It was covered with a jungle gym like structure so no one could steal it, LOL. Same goes for an opium poppy plant. It kind of made me giggle that they had to fence them off so no one would steal them. Lots of good reading about the various plants and their uses in this garden - take some time and read the signage on each plant. There are also caves located underneath the castle that some of the previous residents used to escape an invading army. You can't go in very far, but it's still cool to experience. We were there for a total of four hours but still didn't get to see everything. But then again, I was the victim of a horrific dancing accident the night before in a nightclub in Killarney, so I was limping pretty bad, and I slowed us down. For those of you in good health, you can probably see all the grounds in 3-4 hours. I can't stress the beauty of these grounds enough. I think a lot of people just head straight up to the castle, but take the time and explore the gardens and the walking trails. You won't regret it! Tickets bought at the gate are €16.00 per adult if bought online, but €18.00 at the gate. This really baffles me, but I love it. In America, when you buy tickets to things online ahead of time, you are hammered with convenience and service charges. But MANY of the attractions I visited in Ireland offered discounts for online purchases - I LOVE IT! Parking cost a couple of Euro and their parking machine wasn't taking credit cards that day, so you might want to bring cash with you just in case. read more
We absolutely loved Blarney Castle and the surrounding gardens. We came in November and during Covid so we basically had the castle to ourselves! There were no lines and no waiting, I can imagine it gets very claustrophobic during the busy season. I saw signs for wait times of 60 minutes during peak season! The castle is amazing! It's one of the only castles where you can walk through the entire thing. There are definitely some tight spaces and steep staircases, but it's totally worth it. Amazing to be able to walk through a 600+ year old castle. And of course once you get to the top, you HAVE to kiss the Blarney Stone. There are 2 men that will help you, one holds you while you grip the iron bars and the other takes your photo. During Covid they're disinfecting after every person, so don't worry about that. After you kiss the Stone, there's a small gift shop at the bottom where you can purchase your photos. Pretty reasonably priced as well. We also enjoyed walking through the rest of the gardens and grounds. The air smelled amazing. I know it's weird to say but I could not get over how amazing the air smelled. There's several trails and plenty of beautiful gardens, you could spend all day there walking around. We had such a great day, I highly recommend taking a tour bus or spending the day there on your next trip to Ireland. Definitely one of the best days I've ever had. read more
The Blarney Stone is something that I had always heard of but getting to kiss the stone is something that I can knock off my bucket list. Now, what does the legend say you wonder? Kissing the stone will give you the gift of the gab aka you will be a charmer. The actual kissing of the stone was semi-terrifying. My friend almost didn't do it and then we had to talk her into it since you can't come all the way to Ireland to the Blarney Castle and not kiss the stone. Basically, you sit down facing away from the stone which is on the wall of the castle. You then turn your head towards the wall, being held by the employee and kiss it upside down. It is very involved after climbing up many steps to even get there, so now I have that achievement to boost of as well. The actual grounds are quite pretty. We enjoyed walking around and snapping photos of the castle and the adjacent buildings. Luckily because we came right when they opened there were not many people and we did not have to wait in line or have too many other tourists around us at all. Yes, kissing the stone is a bit hokey, but you gotta do it. Now that I've done it I do not feel the need to ever put myself through that ordeal again though! read more
The Blarney Castle complex has quite a lot of attractions spread across its 60 acres. It has an amazing medieval castle built way back in 1446. It has caves to explore. It has some pretty water ways. It has gorgeous gardens and walking paths that criss-cross the grounds. It has the Blarney Stone ! It has lots of food options. It has lots of retail stores. It even has a hotel. You could easily spend a day here. read more
3 years ago
You could spend a whole day here. Everything was worth the visit. Don't miss the giant swing also. read more
You come here for one thing and one thing only.... to kiss the blarney stone. Is it a tourist stop??? Absolutely and it was so much fun! When you visit Ireland this is a must stop! I came with a tour group and since our guide already purchased tickets we got to bypass the long line of people waiting to get tickets. Then it was off to the castle to climb the narrow spiral steps to the open top. Once at the top you walk over to the section where two guys are there to help you get in position to kiss the stone. This takes a minute... one has to lean backwards (holding on to an iron railing) from the parapet walk. Of course they take photos for you... in hopes you will purchase. Just hand your phone off to someone in your group before you lay down! It happens super fast but it is so worth it. After kissing the stone you are suppose to have the gift of gab. Will see :) We lucked out with the weather, it was sunny with just a little bit of wind. read more
This is a beautiful facility with gorgeous grounds. Make sure to visit the stone in the castle first. We were there at 10 AM and had an hour wait on a weekday in June. There are staff at the stone to help position you and they take your picture (charge if you choose to buy it). You can walk around the grounds/gardens. There is a bagpiper playing next to the castle. We were on a bus tour and were there 2.5 hours which was enough time to visit stone, see some of the gardens, and have time for lunch. read more
I DID IT!!! You can, too. What a fantabulous feeling knowing I'm now blessed with the Gift of Blarney! Yes, like countless other pilgrims that slowly ascended turret stairs, anxiously anticipating the moment. I was aware that the Gift required an inverted Kiss of the Blarney Stone, but this 50+ year old didn't realize you had to be a contortionist! Oy! My wife and I marched forward and each went into our less than modest positions, slapped-on that (potentially) germ infested stone a brief smooch while cameras snapped. Oh what a feeling - Blarney We Now Be! Blarney Castle and the surrounding park lands are absolutely beautiful to stroll and spend a relaxing day. Our time was limited and the Stone's Gift had been achieved. read more
4 years ago
Kissing the Blarney stone, ok I did it. Got there very early. No waiting. Would I do it again? No. The staircase up to stone is a but tight with very tiny stairs. The stairs coming down are much wider and easier to come down. What you need to see is the grounds! Amazing! There were hidden gardens, waterfalls, ponds, lakes, statues! Such a beautiful place to wander about! Skip the stone. Walk the grounds. That's what Blarney should be famous for! read more
8 years ago
We really enjoyed seeing the castle and gardens, but I thought the stone was very overrated. To get to the stone, you climb up quite a few stairs in narrow spiral staircases. At the top there are some really great views. We were lucky that there was no line when we were there. There were signs that indicated it's up two hours long sometimes. To kiss the stone, you have to lay down on a slippery mat and hang upside down only holding on to some metal bars. There's a three foot gap you're hanging over and it definitely feels like you're going to slip right through to the ground. It doesn't seem safe. I definitely think seeing the castle and gardens are worth seeing, but not the stone itself. read more
Neat castle. Overpriced entrance fee. It is more of a tourist stop. We experienced a great tour at Ross castle providing more information about castle and tower house life for only €5 each. This is a beautiful place with lovely gardens. read more
3 years ago
So I pretended to stand in line for the kissing of the rock but totally bailed once I got closer haha! We enjoyed this castle. Our favorite part of the area though had to be the park. We laid under a big tree and it was just breathtaking! read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Amazing place to visit. As a child, I only read and seen pictures of castles and to to see one in person is awesome. It's also educational, you'll have an insight of how life was in the medieval times. Some people kissed the "Blarney Stone", which has an interesting story behind it. I'm glad this is part of our tour. read more
I had a great time here and enjoyed the historical significance of the castle. I have had generations of my family come here to kiss the rock. Also, there are some great gardens here. There is a cafe here as well. *NEED TO KNOW* 1. Make sure to bring your student ID for a discount 2. They have family plans that make it sum what affordable 3. It is expensive to get in. It costs €18+ 4. Don't bring your drone. 5. Take a cab to and from this castle because it is so much easer and cheaper. 6. The restaurants can call a cab for you read more
I loved visiting the Blarney Castle. I thought that kissing the stone was a little hokey. You climb up 100 steps to two Irishman and a camera. They ask you to hang your head over the castle wall while one holds onto your waist and the other says "now kiss the stone." Legend has it that you will gain eloquence if you kiss the stone. There is a long history attached to this process. The castle is still largely intact and sits on 60 acres of parklands. This includes waterways, arboretums, avenues and gardens. Ireland's only poison garden is located on the property. It is a collection of poisonous plants from around the world. Each plant has a sign posted with information about its uses and toxicity. There is a trail that takes you to the Rock Close and Water Garden. This area rewards you with two flowing waterfalls and is absolutely beautiful. You can also explore the Rock Close. You can try out the "wishing steps." If you walk down these steps backwards with your eyes shut, all of your wishes will come true. In this area you will also find the "Witches Stone." Supposedly there is still magic attached to it. read more
What a fun experience. Kissing the actual Blarney Stone is mostly hype, but the castle is pretty cool and the gardens surrounding the castle are spectacular. The climb up to the top of the castle is usually a very slow procedure as, unless you are one of the first to arrive in the morning or you are the first bus load to arrive from a cruise ship, you will be plowing your way slowly up a narrow stair case. Once you have kissed the stone, your way back down the stairway is less crowded and you should have time to check out the different rooms, nooks and crannies. Once you have exited the castle, and if you have time, you can meander through the castle gardens and see the many different areas that have been designed to entertain you. Some of the rock formations are unusual and deserve a visit. To see everything will take you most of a half day. If you also visit the textile mill shop, you can add another hour. Add an hour in the pub for a snack and most of a day can be exhausted. This place is definitely worth a visit. read more
I continue to love Blarney Castle and grounds. The admissions has gotten much steeper but I totally understand. They do such a great job keeping everything together and presentable. Plan to spend at least 4 hours there if you want to explore the entire grounds. There are so many paths to take. The wonderful and beautiful gardens are just a haven for pictures. The sculptures are another place to hang about. The open fields by the lake with the wonderful animals are a sight! The cafes are well priced and staffed. The castle itself is one thing to see and I assume most people come for the Blarney stone. The line to wait to kiss the stone can be 30 min + on busy days so come early! Loads of bus tours come here. The walk up isn't bad at all. The guys who are supervising the stone though are quite abrupt since there is performance pressure for them due to the heavy lines. I love coming just to explore the gardens and I still have more to see! I can't wait to come back! read more
4 years ago
Beautiful ruins of a castle and surrounding grounds. Visitors are able to walk the entire castle and there is helpful info placards scattered to learn about the history and architecture. The gardens are also well worth walking and exploring. No regrets whatsoever... read more
STARDATE 0429.2014... Rick Steves, Europe Guru Extraordinaire, despises Blarney Castle and completely omits it from his 3 week tour of Ireland. Captain Kirk sent me on a mission to investigate... My briefing for the Captain: -Lovely expansive grounds and gardens. -Castle itself is quite large and "fascinating". -The climb to to the top of the castle is very interesting and fun. -No lines or crowds during late April. -12 euro / $16.50 per person seemed pricey initially, but was well worth it. -Most importantly, after kissing the Blarney Stone, a week later I still showed no signs herpes, hepetitus A B or C, bird flu, swine flu, SARS, the clap, Zombie Virus, nor any strange skin rash or illness. So far at least. Doctor McCoy said we got lucky this time, but Spock stated our actions were "illogical". Conclusions: This is a great attraction to visit while in Ireland. Rick Steves is losing it. read more
10 years ago
First things first: I did not kiss the Blarney Stone. Cue sad-face emoji. My lovely lower back has been grumbly my entire trip to Ireland thus far, so I knew not to push it by hiking up a bunch of steep, slippery steps and awkwardly laying on my back to push toward an apparent good-luck stone. I also have a kind-of crappy immune system, so I didn't feel like potentially catching other folks' diseases. Which is possible because I doubt they sanitize that thing. Yuck. Gift of eloquence? Ah, well. Will survive, I suppose. BUT! Even without the smooching stone part, I can say Blarney is so worth a visit...especially if you like photographing flowers and trees. The place is obviously steeped in rich history, but there's also SO much beauty to the surrounding grounds! I especially loved their poison garden. It was so cool to read about the poisonous plants and the related folklore. I also enjoyed getting too close to take photos! Marijuana is among the cool-looking plants. You can also walk down to the fern garden and waterfall. I'd recommend you do both. However, if you plan to have a photoshoot more than 3-5 minutes long, maybe move aside to let other queuing tourists take their photo/selfie. I experienced a couple selfish groups while attempting to photograph the attractions. It's possible to make Blarney a half or full day attraction. I stayed for maybe a couple hours at most but really enjoyed my visit. If you're in the area, this is a must stop. read more
2 years ago
For heaven's sake, don't visit Blarney Castle just for that ridiculous stone. Whether you choose to kiss the stone or not (we didn't), if you have an aesthetic interest in castles, this is a great example of a ruined castle (see photos). Unlike, say, Kilkenny Castle, which is more like a museum/preservation project, Blarney Castle is just the bare bones--stone walls and a few other structural elements. It's fun simply to roam around in, to run up and down the narrow tower stairs, to stick your head out the windows and take in the countryside, and just generally to explore and enjoy. Blarney Castle is quite handy to Cork City if you have a car. read more
3 years ago
This castle is an absolute must-do in Ireland! Exploring the castle is really fun and cool. The view from the top is beautiful, and also you can't forget about kissing the blarney stone!!! There are guys who work at the castle who hold/support you as you kiss the stone so no need tobe scared. This place is privately owned and unlike some attractions, you can buy tickets online. This will also save you 50 cents. read more
6 years ago
Such a fun place! Definitely recommend if you are visiting Ireland to make this spot a stop. Many tours you can do that end up here. Leave yourself a few hours time as the line sometimes takes quite a while but the sites are beautiful and you can leave some members of your party in line while you explore the gardens, then switch, up until you get inside. If you are claustrophobic, some areas of the castle are pretty tight, but you can make it! Views from the top are worth it. My husband and I got a Christmas ornament and made sure to get a certificate as well (we shared one instead of getting two separate certificates). Loved our day trip!! read more
14 years ago
10 years ago
Nice castle to explore - not too big. My husband braved the precarious position to kiss the Blarney Stone, which is set in the wall below the battlements. Once kissed, the stone bestows the gift of eloquence. I can be a bit of a germaphobe, so I decided I was perfectly okay with not putting my lips in the same place millions of other visitors have. We set off to explore the rest of the grounds, which were pretty sizable. They even have a cave on the premises. read more
6 years ago
First of all, that is not me kissing the Blarney Stone in the photo below. Secondly. the gift of eloquence was certainly not bestowed on me. The once home of Dermot McCarthy whose long missives to Queen Elizabeth I led to the term "Blarney" and later the "Blarney Stone" or should I say "Stone of Eloquence" is today a charming castle in the Irish countryside. It is about 600 years old which is reflected in the well worn stone and spiral, narrow staircase that takes you to the top. Slippery when wet it is still easily navigated. There is a staircase that takes you up and another that brings you down which avoids congestion in the narrow staircases..The stone is suppose to be a gift from Robert the Bruce. To kiss the stone all you have to do is lay on your back, hold on to two bars and pull yourself forward and down. You then have a great view of the stone and the sheer drop to the ground. Kiss the stone then wait for the spotters to pull you back. Oh, you can buy a not inexpensive picture of all of it. The top of the castle provides wonderful photography. Guide books are available in English, French and German. It will cost 16 Euro online and 18 Euros at the gate for adults and less for others. The castle opens at 9 and closes at 5:30 or 6:30 depending upon the season. The last ticket to be sold for the day is sold a 1/2 hour before closing. The grounds and gardens are open and worth exploring on their own. I liked the "Poison Garden" but then the unusual and complex hold a fascination for me. read more
This is an ABSOLUTE must on your Cork bucket list. For 18 euros, you gain entrance to the Blarney Castle & gardens. The property is huge, so wear comfortable clothes & extra comfortable shoes. Pro tip: Head straight to the Blarney Castle & wait in line to kiss the Blarney Stone. The line is quite long & the wait for us was 60 minutes. If you go right at opening, I imagine it's less. And yes, it did take the entire 60 minutes. It's a bit of walk up the top where the stone is located, and you will have to walk up lots of stairs. The area is a bit tight. Keep that in mind. Also, you get maybe 10-15 seconds to kiss the stone. They move quick. There is a gentleman who assists you as you lay down & kiss the stone with your head upside down. But again, they move quick. I highly recommend preparing your cameras ahead of time. Have someone in your group take photos or videos and be prepared to switch quickly for them! Don't miss the moment because it goes by in a flash! They do sell the professional photos downstairs for 10 euros (there is a camera up there taking photos). After, take your time and enjoy the beautiful property. There is a waterfall & poison garden on the property. Overall, gorgeous place that must be visited! read more
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