If you ask someone what the most famous attraction in Ireland is, they might well say Blarney Castle.
Everyone knows that whoever kisses the Blarney Stone magically receives the “gift of gab.” This makes it one of the most famous rocks in the world!
But what is the “gift of gab” exactly? Eloquence? Loquaciousness?
The Irish say it’s not “baloney” (thick, unappealing flattery), but rather just “blarney”(a perfectly acceptable form of flattery).
The famous Blarney Stone is part of the battlements of Blarney Castle, perched right at the top and only reachable by stuffing yourself through a tiny spiral staircase and ascending 120 steps.
The visiting experience isn’t just this awkward bit though. The castle’s setting could not be prettier or greener with gardens, forested areas, lakes, and follies to explore.
In this guide to Blarney Castle, I’ll give you a mini history, tell you everything to see, and give you must know tips for visiting.
>>> Click here to book a guided tour from Dublin
Quick Tips
- Pre-book a ticket in advance, especially in high season.
- There’s a paid parking lot (which may be full!).
- In high season, you’ll likely find a line that’s 90 minutes long.
- This line can’t be skipped.
- The 90 minutes isn’t the line to get inside the castle, but the amount of time it takes to climb up to the Blarney Stone at the top.
- The hike up is a bit arduous with uneven steps and a tight spiral staircase.
History & Legends
The History Bit
The first Blarney castle, dating from the 10th century, was a modest structure built of timber.
The stone fortress you see today was built in 1446 by Cormac MacCarthy of the Muskerry clan. It’s a classic tower fortress with defense as its primary purpose.
MacCarthy was a powerful chieftain. Under his leadership, Blarney Castle became an important stronghold.
The castle withstood many an attack. This was partly due to the machicolations (openings) around the rim of the battlements.
These openings allowed defenders to chuck big rocks or boiling oil down on their enemies.
The MacCarthy reign lasted for two centuries.
But, in 1646, Lord Broghill, one of Oliver Cromwell’s thugs, showed up to deal with those “naughty” Catholics. Realizing they were no match for him, the castle’s inhabitants made a hasty exit through secret underground tunnels.
In a surprising twist, King Charles II returned the castle to the MacCarthy clan in 1661. However, their luck didn’t last long.
Just a couple of generations later, the castle was seized by the English “Williamites” after the 1690 Battle of the Boyne.
Blarney Castle eventually found its way into the hands of the Colthurst family in the 19th century.
They still own the estate today and are responsible for building the beautiful Blarney House, a baronial mansion just a short stroll from the castle.
The Mythology Bit
The Blarney Stone’s magical power comes from a couple of different legends.
One story tells of Cormac MacCarthy, a 15th century lord facing a tough court case.
Worried he might lose, he prayed for help and was told (by either the Irish goddess of love or an old witch) to kiss the first stone he saw on his way to court.
He did, and suddenly found himself with the gift of gab. Thanks to his charm, he won the case.
Another tale involves a later Cormac MacCarthy, who had to deal with Queen Elizabeth I demanding that he surrender Blarney Castle and its lands to her.
An old woman told Cormac to kiss a special stone in the castle’s parapet.
After doing so, he became so eloquent that he charmed the besieging earl into a stalemate. Queen Elizabeth reportedly called the situation “all blarney,” giving rise to the phrase.
Another legend says the stone was once a “sorting stone” for Irish kings, similar to something out of Harry Potter.
Later, it was moved to Scotland. There, it became the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish kings.
The story goes that when Cormac MacCarthy sent troops to help Robert the Bruce defeat the English, a piece of the stone was sent back to Ireland as thanks.
Whatever its true origin, the stone’s legendary powers remain unquestioned.
Guide To Blarney Castle: What To See
Castle
Blarney Castle is an impressive example of medieval architecture, combining elements of a stronghold with features typical of the era’s residential castles.
The main structure is a massive tower house, which was a common type of fortified residence in medieval Ireland.
The tower is rectangular in shape, rising over 90 feet and tapering slightly as it ascends. The walls are 18 feet thick.
This tall, narrow design was intended to provide both a strong defensive position and living quarters for the MacCarthy clan.
It was exceedingly difficult to get into the castle! If someone breached the castle walls, there was a “murder hole” where rocks or boiling oil could be dropped on the invaders.
To get to the top of the ancient keep, where the Blarney Stone awaits you, you climb up a narrow spiral staircase clinging to a rope.
There are some rooms to pop into along the way, none of which are furnished. The castle is more ruin, than museum.
Along the way, you’ll pass the Great Hall (with a massive fireplace), the Earl’s Bedroom, the Young Ladies Room, the Family Room, and the Banqueting Room.
On the south wall of the Family Room, there are very faint remains of a plaster frieze with floral decorations.
It’s a very rare surviving example and gives you a wee bit of an inkling about how the room must have looked in its heyday.
At the top of the tower, as I mentioned above, there are machicolations—stone projections with openings through which defenders could drop stones or other materials on attackers below.
The castle also features crenellated battlements, which provided cover for defenders on the roof.
Once you’re at the open part at the top, you’ll have stunning views of the castle grounds and can get your first look at the Blarney Stone.
Blarney Stone
The Blarney Stone is a 350 million year old bluestone, set into the outer battlements at the top of Blarney Castle.
Kissing it isn’t as simple as it sounds! It’s not just a big rock that you walk by and quickly blow a kiss.
Before you try, you’ll need to remove your bags, hats, glasses, and anything loose in your pockets. Mini skirts aren’t recommended either!
To kiss the stone, you lie on your back and inch backward, with your head dangling over the edge of the battlements.
Don’t worry, though — two safety bars and a metal grill are in place to keep you secure. In the past, visitors were held by their ankles!
Once you’re in position, you crane your neck back and kiss the stone, which has just been smooched by thousands of others. (You can ask the assistant to disinfect it first.)
Naturally, you can buy an official photo and certificate from the castle shop to commemorate the experience.
Famous kissers include Winston Churchill, Jackie Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Mick Jagger.
Is it worth kissing the Blarney Stone? That’s entirely up to you!
If you’re in the mood for some lighthearted fun, go for it. But if hanging upside down isn’t your thing or you are prone to claustrophobia, you might want to skip it.
Blarney House
Blarney House is a grand mansion built in the Scottish Baronial style in 1874. Its striking design features turreted towers and light blue limestone, with Glasgow stone accenting the doors, windows, and gables.
The house was commissioned by Sir George Colthurst, the 5th baron of the Colthurst family.
You can visit Blarney House on a guided tour, which costs €10 per person or €20 for a family.
Tours run Monday through Saturday at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. They only accept cash — no credit cards.
Unfortunately, I missed the last tour due to the long wait to kiss the Blarney Stone. But I’ve heard the interiors are stunning.
Blarney Gardens
The castle sits in the center of 60 acres of lush parkland, which I think are the highlight of a visit.
At first, the castle gardens were quite small and formal. But by the 18th century, fancy garden design was the very height of fashion.
So, Blarney’s owners gifted it with extensive natural landscapes with groves, dolmens, humped back bridges, lakes, and follies.
Parts of it are so enchanting you might expect to see a fairy house or a leprechaun.
There’s a network of pathways you can take if you want to get your steps in:
- Lake Walk: 45 minutes
- Woodland Walk: 1 hour
- Riverside Walk: 20 minutes
Just outside the castle is the Stable Yard. There’s a cafe there and you can plop down to rest your feet.
From there, you can walk through a tunnel into a beautiful herbaceous border and Rose Pergola. In August, the flowers were in full bloom.
The Rock Close to the west of the castle is also a must visit.
It’s said to be the site of an ancient Druid settlement, and you may think you’ve stumbled into a Lord of the Rings movie set.
The close is mossy and green, covered with a canopy of ancient yew and oak trees.
It’s chock full of ancient rock formations, winding paths, two small waterfalls, and unique features like the Druid’s Circle, Witch’s Stone, and the Wishing Steps.
The Witch’s Stone purportedly marks the spot where a witch was once imprisoned by the lord of Blarney.
She was forced to grant him a wish every day in exchange for her release each night, only to be imprisoned again at dawn.
To no one’s surprise, the Wishing Steps also come complete with a tall tale.
It’s said that if you walk down them backward, with your eyes closed, you will either (1) have all your wishes will come true, or (2) win your heart’s desire.
The Fern Garden is also quite magical and exotic. There are striking tall fern trees, and it’s quiet and peaceful.
There’s also an ancient Poison Garden just behind the castle’s battlements that’s quite popular.
It’s referred to as a “psychic garden,” a common enough phenomenon in medieval Europe.
Then, as now, the gardens are used for medical and culinary purposes.
You’ll even find plants from around the world, including ones from the Harry Potter books like Wolfsbane and Mandrake.
Practical Guide & Tips For Blarney Castle
Where It Is & How To Get There
Blarney Castle is located in the tiny town of Blarney, about a 20 minute drive from Cork in southern Ireland. It is about 3-4 hours drive from Dublin.
You can drive there and park in the official parking lot or in Blarney town itself. Parking is only a few euros.
You can also visit on a guided day tour from Dublin or on a tour from Cork.
You can also visit the castle on a longer tour from Dublin that includes the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle.
How To Get Around
When you present your ticket and enter, you’ll be given a map of the grounds. The park is also pretty well sign posted.
Tickets & Hours
The castle is open all year round from Monday to Sunday. The hours are 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, with a bit earlier closings in winter.
Ticket prices are € 22 for adults, €10 for kids, and €55 for a family of four. Click here to pre-book a ticket.
When To Visit
The castle is definitely the most crowded during the late morning until mid afternoon.
If you arrive late morning, I suggest exploring the grounds first with the hope that the line to enter the castle will be shorter.
After your visit, you can head to the city of Cork for lunch or dinner. If you want a pub, check out Elbow Lane, the smallest brewery in Ireland.
I hope, dear gentle readers, that you’ve enjoyed my guide to Blarney Castle. It’s such a joy to have such intelligent and attentive readers. I’m sure your kindness and good looks light up every room!
You may find these UK guides useful:
- 1 day in Belfast itinerary
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- Best day trips from London
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