Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle and Gardens

Welcome to the home of the Blarney Stone, a 600-year-old castle built by one of Ireland’s most powerful ever chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy. Uncover the Dungeon, the Banqueting Hall, the Chapel and more inside the imposing fortress, before climbing to the top of the tower for a date with the Blarney Stone. Legends of the stone’s origin vary, from the Crusades to the Queen of the Fairies in south Munster. Kiss it, and it’s believed you grow more eloquent. There’s only one way to find out...

Blarney Castle offers a trio of attractions: the castle, the Blarney Stone and the gardens. You can buy tickets online or at the ticket office on site, and it’s recommended that you allow at least three hours to see everything on offer. The visit is self-guided, so you can take your time and explore at your own pace, with maps in several languages available from the ticket office.

The castle is the perfect place to start. This large tower house boasts walls that are 15ft thick at the base, and is one of Ireland’s most impressive tower houses. Inside, you can wander through the Banqueting Hall, where the social life of the castle took place with huge feasts and entertainment, as well as the Great Hall and Kitchen. One of the more intriguing spaces in the castle is the Young Ladies Bedroom, where the three young daughters of the 14th Lord of Muskerry were raised.

The legendary Blarney Stone is built into the uppermost battlements of the castle’s main tower. How the stone came to be here remains unclear, but legends – some romantic, others mythical – surround this fascinating piece of rock, including a tale that it was brought from the Holy Land after the Crusades. If you’re planning to have a go at kissing the stone and gaining the “gift of the gab”, then be prepared for some awkward manoeuvres. To kiss it, you must lie on your back and lean your head and shoulders backwards over an open parapet drop while holding onto the iron railings. It’s an adventure in itself, but the staff are on hand to support you throughout.

Castle and mythical stone aside, Blarney Gardens are an unexpected gem, delighting visitors with a rich range of arboretums, avenues and themed areas. There are more than 10 different sections of the gardens, from the Poison Garden to the Vietnamese Woodland. Don’t miss the Seven Sisters, a collection of ancient standing stones, while the Great Trees area is home to some of the largest specimens of their kind in Ireland. A network of paths will lead you through the various areas, which change and evolve throughout the year, meaning there’s always something new to discover.

See more of the island of Ireland’s exceptional gardens

There is a café at Blarney Castle, and also a small coffee hut just inside the entrance. A minute’s walk from the castle, you’ll find Sika Café and Wine Bar, serving salads, pizzas, platters and sandwiches including one filled with spiced beef – a famous Cork speciality. There are also several places to eat in Blarney village, including the Claddagh on the Square, the Muskerry Arms Bar and The Johnny’s Bar at Blarney Castle Hotel.

Cork city is only a 20-minute drive from Blarney Castle and is famous for its excellent food scene. Enjoy fresh seafood at the Michelin Bib-awarded Goldie, indulge in refined vegetarian dining at the long-running Café Paradiso or opt for menus based around local, seasonal dishes at The Glass Curtain.

Discover why Cork is Ireland’s food capital

In Cork city, an array of things to see and do await. Browse an eclectic collection of food stalls and meet local traders at the 18th-century English Market, uncover compelling stories at the gothic Cork City Gaol, and climb the 132 steps to the top of the iconic Shandon Tower for sweeping views of this charming city.

Just a little further out is the colourful seaside town of Cobh, Titanic’s last port of call before its ill-fated maiden voyage across the Atlantic. You can uncover the full story at the Titanic Experience Cobh or join The Titanic Trail, a daily guided walking tour that follows in the footsteps of passengers who boarded the ship in 1912. Cobh is also the departure point for visits to Spike Island, a former fortress and island prison that is known as “Ireland’s Alcatraz”.

With amazing attractions in Blarney Castle itself, and a wealth of great things to see just a short drive away in Cork, it’s no wonder this part of the island captivates visitors from all over the world.

Create a captivating Cork adventure today