
There is so much more to Blarney Castle, home of the Blarney Stone than you might imagine. Located just a few miles from Cork in Blarney Village, Blarney Castle features beautiful gardens and woodland walks as well as historic Blarney House, which is still lived in by Sir Charles Colthurst and his family. Join me in a virtual visit to Blarney and get my top tips to help you make the most of your visit if you are planning to go there in person.
The Legend of Blarney Castle
There are so many stories about Blarney Castle, and the place still feels full of magic and mystery. When I was a little girl, my Dad and my Grandpa used to talk about kissing the Blarney Stone. Kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle is said to give you “the gift of the gab”or the ability to be elegant and persuasive. Although neither my Dad nor my Grandpa had ever kissed the aforementioned stone, they both had that gift, and their stories about the stone made me resolve to kiss it myself one day. And one bittersweet day not long after my father passed away my son and I visited and we kissed the stone. As for me, I kissed it not just once but twice – the second time not entirely of my own choice! You can read more about that day here if you like.
A Place I Love To Visit
Since then, I have returned to Blarney Castle many times and I am always taken by it. Even if you don’t want to climb the hundred plus steps to get to the Blarney Stone – or stand in a long queue to do so – it’s well worth a visit to see the gorgeous grounds, gardens, castle ruins and Blarney House. Honestly, I have only kissed the Blarney Stone once more since my original visit; my reason for visiting now is more about spending time in the gardens which, in my experience, are beautiful in every season.
Blarney Castle
The castle itself is sadly in ruins, but much of it is safely intact enough to allow you to explore a bit. The stairs to get up to the Blarney Stone are very narrow and steep, particularly towards the top. It’s no surprise though, as the Blarney stone at the very top of the castle. The climb can be a little challenging if you are claustrophobic, but the experience and the views really are worth the climb. I definitely would not recommend it if you suffer from a lot of anxiety or have any heart issues though.
Kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle
The Blarney Stone is embedded in the piece of the wall that juts out from the actual tower. The railings you can see at the top are there to stop you from falling as you kiss it! If you do brave the stairs the views out over the countryside are quite amazing.
Of course, you have the opportunity to kiss the stone itself, although I have seen a lot of people get all the way to the top and decide they do not want to after all! To kiss the stone, you lie down on some plastic sheeting (while a strong man holds on to your waist), grab on to the hand rails, pull yourself down over the abyss, and pucker up!
Whether or not it gives you the gift of eloquence, kissing the Blarney Stone really is an experience. My first hand advice? Don’t look down! Would I do this again post-pandemic? Honestly, no, although I am told by a reliable source that the stone is disinfected between kisses. I cannot confirm this though as I have not climbed all the way to the top for a number of years!
The Gardens at Blarney Castle
There certainly are plenty of gardens and woodland walks to explore – from the striking Fern Garden (pictured below) to a Bog Garden and even The Poison Garden, full of poisonous plants. There’s a Fairy Glade, which I am told is still occupied by fairies, and an interesting short walk around a Rock Close as well. You are given an excellent map of the castle grounds when you buy your ticket and all the walks are well-signposted.
The fern gardens are one of my favourite parts of the gardens.
There are more modern sculptures in some parts of the garden, which contrast sharply with the ancient stone to create an interesting effect.
Blarney House
Blarney House is a beautiful, historic mansion built in the castle grounds in 1874 that is still lived in today. During the summer months, you are usually able to take tours of the house. During other seasons the house is occupied so tours are understandably not available.
It’s really interesting to see such historic rooms, paintings and artefacts juxtaposed with the owners’ modern day possessions. The day I visited there was a Lego model under construction on one of the pianos! It was very refreshing to see a home like this still loved and lived in.
Tips For Visiting Blarney Castle
Some locals may give an embarrassed sigh when you tell them you kissed the Blarney Stone. Some may even say “Did you have to?”, but in my opinion, a visit to this magical place really is not to be missed. Roughly 8 kilometres from Cork City Centre, Blarney Castle is open all year round (opening times vary). Blarney House is occasionally open for guided tours during the summer months. Visit the Castle website for more information and opening times.
Blarney Castle and grounds often become crowded as the day wears on, so if you can arrive early you will have a chance to explore before the crowds. It also makes it easier to get good photographs of the castle and grounds.
Be sure to take time to visit Blarney village around the castle as well if you can.
Parking is available at the castle.
Information is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing. Be sure to check with the relevant venues for opening times, their full terms and conditions, and to check prices, availability and payment terms. Kiss the Blarney Stone at your own risk. I cannot be responsible for anything that happens should you choose to kiss the Blarney Stone nor if the promised gift of the gab fails to materialise!
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Comments & Reviews
Go, April! What an amazing place to visit…thanks for sharing your visit with us!
~Lisa
Thank you, Lisa! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 x
That is so neat and a little scary. Thanks for sharing this beautiful place April 🙂
Thank you, Diane, I’m glad you enjoyed it. It is a little scary I have to admit 😉 I plan to be back in Ireland in a couple weeks and am hoping to take a tour inside Blarney House. I think I’ll give kissing the stone a miss this time though!
My in-laws (now passed) went many years ago. Thanks so much for sharing your photos and visit, April.
Shirley
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Shirley. I’m sorry your in-laws have passed, but I’m so glad they got to see Ireland.
So gorgeously green and lush…Tight quarters can make this Ninja Baker a bit queasy. But as you say, the climb is worth the view….Kind of like Life sometimes <3 Anyway, thank you for the intro. Again, #inspired to jump over the pond!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Kim 🙂 I did find the climb challenging this last time – I seem to get a bit more claustrophobic as I get older!! That is a great analogy about life 🙂 The view really is outstanding!
Your pictures are gorgeous! I’d love to see the gardens! And a bog garden? Goodness, what kind of flowers/shrubs/trees could grow there???
Thank you, Nina 🙂 It really is an amazing place!
The castle looks amazing. And I bet it has a very interesting history.
It really does, Cristina. I would happily visit again anytime!
As a reader from Canada this is one of those places I dream of visiting. So much of the literature I have read comes from the British Isles and it would be amazing to see and touch the settings from the stories.
Very pretty enjoyable post. Loved the pics.
Thank you so much, Leanna. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I come from Canada too – I lived there until I was in my twenties. I remember how excited I was to visit Blarney the first time, and every time I go back I feel so lucky!
What a neat piece of folklore. Totally fun that you visited.
Thank you, Elise! It really is a fun place to visit 🙂
I’ve always wanted to visit and kiss the stone. My father did when he was a young man. Thanks for the trip!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Carol. That is cool that your Dad kissed the Blarney Stone too!
I haven’t yet made it Ireland but its high on my list! hopefully soon…I keep hearing about how its a bit gross to be kissing this stone, lol but hey some things just need to be experienced right! the whole area looks so beautiful, I really need to go!
I confess, the thought of all those lips from all those years…I kind of had to put it out of my mind to be honest! I hope you get to Ireland soon, Mary. It’s lovely!
Hi April
Lovely post about Blarney Castle and kissing the stone. I enjoyed the experience the times I was there. I also visited St Patrick’s grave in Downpatrick in Northern Ireland–a very touching experience. I blogged about it years ago.
Hi Pat, Thank you so much! I have yet to visit Northern Ireland, although my paternal Grandmother grew up in Belfast. That is so interesting that you visited St Patrick’s grave.
I just told me husband the other day that I wanted to visit Ireland one day. I think it looks absolutely beautiful. I had never heard of the Blarney stone, though, lol. I would climb the stairs just for the view.
The view was stunning, Angela, and definitely worth the climb. I hope you get to Ireland, it really is amazing!
Beautiful photos, April! I’ve kissed the Blarney twice. Long ago, when I was young, I kissed the stone for the first time. I walked in the fairy garden afterward and made a wish as I walked down the steps “to meet a nice guy” when I got back home to the US. I met my husband-to-be that winter! I always told him that special experience and later in life we both visited and kissed the stone and walked in the gardens together.
Oh, Pat, what a wonderful story! I love that you made a wish at Blarney that came true, and that you went back with your husband and kissed the stone together. So Blarney is a magical place for you too 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing this!
I really enjoyed all the photos and history. Always waiting for your new topics. Thank you so much.
I am so glad you enjoyed it, Salma! Thank you for your lovely comment.