Blarney Castle & Blarney Stone
Caisleán na Blarnan
A 15th-century tower castle. Visitors lean backwards beneath the battlements to kiss the Blarney Stone for the gift of eloquence. The gardens and poison garden are also worth a visit.
Blarney Castle was built by the MacCarthy family in 1446. It is best known for the Blarney Stone set beneath the battlements at the top of the castle. Visitors climb about 127 narrow spiral steps, then lean back, supported by staff, to kiss the stone. According to legend, this bestows the gift of eloquence. The castle grounds cover about 24 hectares and include a poison garden, a rock garden, the Witch’s Kitchen, a lake walk and the nineteenth-century Blarney House. Entry costs about €22, with a discount for booking online. It is open roughly 09:00–17:00, with extended hours in summer. The castle is about 8 km from Cork. Bus 215 serves it, and in summer you may queue for more than an hour.
Opening hours
About 9:00–17:00 (extended in summer)
Nearby sights
- Cork City Gaol
- Fitzgerald's Park
- University College Cork
- Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral
- Cork Butter Museum
- St Anne's Church, Shandon (Shandon Bells)
- Elizabeth Fort
- English Market