One of the must-visit places in Ireland is Blarney Castle, and in particular, a kiss for the Blarney Stone is said to allow you to speak eloquently and persuasively. No wonder, the Irish who are renown to be great storytellers believe in its powers!
However, there’s more to Blarney Castle than just the famous stone. Blarney Castle sits on approximately 60 acres of beautiful parkland, where you can stroll along the pathways taking in lush gardens, ferns, waterways and the mystical Rock Close which is said to the site of an ancient druidic settlement.
Blarney Castle can be found in the town of Blarney in County Cork. It was built nearly six hundred years ago by Cormac Laidir (‘the strong) MacCarthy, the Lord of Muscry, and was the third to be erected on the site.
The day we visited, we were lucky in the fact that it was a quiet day with no queue to make the trek to the top of the castle where you will find the Blarney Stone. To reach the stone you must negotiate a spiral stone staircase which is steep and very narrow in sections, but it is well worth the climb as the view of the Blarney grounds from the top are stunning.
To kiss the Blarney Stone, you will be guided by assistants who will lay you down. The angle is a little daunting and you will have to tilt your head back but the assistants are well skilled in keeping you in place to kiss the Blarney Stone. Once it’s kissed, you will never be lost for words again!
It’s recommended to at least allow three hours for your visit, but you can easily spend the day, exploring the gardens, visiting the castle, kissing the stone, and even grabbing a bite to eat at the Stable Yard cafe situated close to the main entrance. There’s also an onsite car park which has a flat fee of €2 for the day.
If you’re not driving, there are buses from Cork City Bus Station to Blarney Village with the journey taking approximately twenty minutes. Tours are also offered from Dublin.
While you’re visiting Blarney Castle, don’t forget to take in the village of Blarney which is full of cafes and pubs catering to the over 200,000 people who visit each year. Another popular stop in Blarney is the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can pick up some locally made gifts and souvenirs.
