Visiting Blarney Castle

When we moved to Ireland, visiting Blarney Castle topped my to-do list. Still, it took us nearly four months to make it to the castle. As it turns out, in the aftermath of moving to a new country, visiting tourist attractions wasn’t a big priority.

When we finally made it to Blarney, it was love at first sight. With the bubbling stream welcoming you, the gardens of flowers and foliage, and the tower itself looming over all that green, it was instantly enchanting.

But, I would never have imagined that I would be back 7 (SEVEN!) more times over the next 18 months.

Blarney Castle is just that kind of place for us. It’s near enough to Cork and very easy to get to. It’s our go-to way to entertain visitors, but there’s so much to do and see that it still feels fresh to us, no matter how many times we go. And, it’s just downright beautiful.

What I’m saying is, I completely, whole-heartedly recommend including a stop at Blarney Castle in your Ireland itinerary.

Kissing the Blarney Stone

Of course, the draw for many people is kissing the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that those who kiss the stone will become more eloquent (or get the “gift of gab”). Before our first visit, my mental image of kissing the stone involved kneeling to peck a large green (because isn’t everything in Ireland green?) boulder on the ground.

Nothing could be farther from reality.

The Blarney Stone is wedged into the battlement wall at the very top of the castle tower. To kiss it, you need to lay on your back with your torso hanging over the wall, bending backwards at the waist. That puts the stone just in front of your face, ready for you to plant a sloppy one on it.

Of the dozen people we have taken to the castle, roughly half have decided to kiss the stone. Others are a bit put off by the idea of so many germs, or slightly terrified of dangling over the castle wall.

Never fear! There are metal bars to hold on to and a cushy mat to lay on. Plus, there is always a helpful gentleman to hold, help and instruct. The whole thing is safe, if slightly awkward. They also clean and disinfect the stone regularly… not after every visitor, but at least several times a day.

To capture the moment you get the gift of gab, have someone in your party take you photo while you kiss the stone. There is a photographer snapping shots that you can buy on the ground floor as you exit the castle. But, they do not mind if you take your own. Just have a plan for who is going to take the photos and have your phone or camera ready because it all happens quickly and they try to keep the line moving. The best angle for photos is next to the pro photographer to the left of the stone just after you pass in front of it. If someone in your group doesn’t want to kiss the stone, have them at the front of your line, ready to snap photos of the rest of the group.

Exploring Blarney Castle

Kissing the stone requires getting to the top of the castle, which is more exciting than the ritual kiss. Touring the castle involves climbing a narrow, spiral stone staircase several floors up. There are several spots to step off the staircase and explore various rooms. There’s plenty of signage explaining what each room was, and describing bits and pieces of life inside a Medieval fortress. You’ll exit the staircase at the roof, where you may need to wait in line to kiss the stone, or to pass by it. The height of the castle also provides stunning views of the grounds. You’ll come back down a different spiral staircase, which provides access to most of the same rooms.

What to do at Blarney Castle

The castle itself might be the most famous feature of the site, but it’s the grounds and gardens that make this place magical. They are perfect for a romantic stroll or for letting kids run off some energy.

In particular, I love the Herbaceous Border. In the spring and summer this pathway becomes a tunnel of blooms.

Rodger’s favorite spot is the Bog Garden with two waterfalls and Giant Rhubarb that looks like something out of Avatar or Jurassic Park.

For my dad, the Badger’s Cave was a hit and other visitors have loved the Poison Garden. Our youngest visitors have been delighted by the Witch’s Kitchen, Druid’s Cave and Wishing Steps. There’s also a horse graveyard, an ice house and large woodlands to walk through.

Plan to spend several hours exploring the grounds. The longest trail (the Woodland Walk) takes about 90 minutes. The Forest Trail (which takes you through most of the major sites, including the Witch’s Kitchen and Druid’s Cave) takes roughly an hour assuming you stop several times for photos and to read the signage. We typically spend three to four hours at the estate with first-time visitors.

Blarney House

The castle isn’t the only dwelling on the Blarney estate. Blarney House, located in the back of the estate, is home to the Colthurst family. Members of this family have owned the estate (including Blarney Castle) since 1704.

You can get a peek of the house from the top of the castle. It’s a fairytale scene with pinnacles and turrets rising out of the trees and mist. An easy walk takes you to the front door and it’s well worth the time to get an up-close look at the home.

Blarney House is open for tours during the summer months when the family takes holiday. Though the house is extraordinary, the experience felt a bit like snooping in someone’s home while they’re away. I had the distinct feeling that I was in someone’s private space (which was confirmed by the paperback novels and nasal spray on the nightstand), but it was worth it to see how the family makes the historic house work for modern life. House tours start every half-hour and you’ll need an additional ticket, which you can buy for €6 at the door.

When to visit Blarney Castle

For me, Blarney is at its best in the spring and fall. Springtime brings outrageous blooms and overflowing gardens. Autumn puts on its own show with full streams, golden light and trees laden with orange leaves. Our November visit surprised me by being one of my favorites.

No matter what time of year you visit (but especially during the summer), arrive early. The estate opens at 9:00AM and the tour buses start showing up around 9:30 or 10:00AM. During the summer, we have seen the line to kiss the stone stretch all the way down the stairs to the ground floor and out the castle door. To make the most of your visit, and avoid the crowds, arrive early in the morning, take in the castle first and then spend a few hours exploring the grounds.

Alternately, if you just want to visit the castle and skip the gardens and grounds, late afternoon (after 3:00PM) is typically pretty quiet.

Tips for visiting Blarney Castle

Wear sturdy shoes with good traction ad the stone stairs can be slippery
Arrive early to beat the crowds (especially during the summer)
Purchase tickets online in advance for faster / easier entry here… https://blarneycastle.ie/pages/plan-your-visit.
Plan to spend several hours exploring the grounds
Have someone take your photo kissing the stone to avoid paying for the professional version
Combine your visit with a stop at nearby Blarney Woollen Mills for the best selection of souvenirs, sweaters and knitwear and Irish goods