The Blarney Castle is a medieval fortress that is located near Cork in Ireland. Mythical stories abound the place. A deep curiosity to check the truth behind these existing myths drive hundreds and thousands of tourists to Blarney every year. It is said, and quite firmly believed by the locals till date, that you are blessed with the ‘gift of gab’ (or the power to persuade and charm people with your smooth tongue) if you kiss the Blarney Stone.
Everything You Need to Know
Cormac McCarthy of the McCarthy clan received the rock as a gift from King Robert, the Bruce of Scotland, as a token of appreciation for sending 4000 Munster men to help him (Robert) fight the English in a 14th-century battle. No one knows the origin of the myth but as the legend goes — Cormac McCarthy had saved a woman from drowning in a lake but the latter turned out to be a witch, who lived in the nearby gardens; in gratitude, she revealed the existence of a certain stone inside the castle that had magical powers from which the King could benefit. She said that if McCarthy kissed the stone, he would be granted with the gift of eloquence. Ever since, many lips have locked onto this famous Blarney Stone in the hope that they will too be granted a similar boon like the erstwhile king himself.
Only if it were as easy as it sounds. Kissing the Blarney Stone will take you some effort. You will be required to lie on your back with your head thrust downwards and backwards over a long drop. Holding on to the side vertical bars, you lean ahead to kiss the iconic stone.
The term ‘Blarney’ means ‘misleading talk’, and gained currency somewhere along the 16th century.
The castle was originally built as a stone castle in the 13th century but the construction was completed by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster, in the 15th century. It follows that the castle has been around for more than 600 years and is one of the strongest surviving tower-houses in the country.
The Blarney Castle was built on an elevated land of solid limestone rock. It was initially built to serve as a fortress with a firm foundation that could protect the royalty in times of extreme crises when they were besieged by enemy camps. The walls are 18 feet thick to withstand foreign invasions and breakthroughs. The windows in the upper half of the castle were carved to stop an onslaught of arrows and stones hurled by the opponent forces from outside the premises. The ‘Murder Hole’ inside the castle was built with a specific intention — as the name implies, this was the site from where the royal defenders poured hot oil, pelted stones, and released a sheaf of arrows taking aim at their adversaries stationed outside.
Inside the Castle
You are led to the top-most part of the castle by a flight of 99 steep and narrow stairs. As you ascend, you realize the extent of military preparation the royalty took to keep its enemies at bay by sheerly looking at the narrow recesses from where they launched their attack on them.
The main areas of attraction inside the castle include Ground Floor Room, The Great Hall, Earl’s Bedroom, Young Ladies Room, Priests Room, Chapel, Blarney Stone, Banqueting Hall, Ancillary Chamber, Garderobe, Murder Hole and the Bell Tower. The rooms have been demarcated for the visitors’ convenience.
The Blarney Castle overlooks a beautiful garden stretch which comes with a warning to the visitors though. On entry, a sign reads — ‘Do not touch, smell, or eat any plant!’ Evidently, the garden is home to more than 70 species of toxic plants and vegetation.
Nonetheless, the lush green spread is a sight to watch — replete with rare flowers and trees, plants, a gigantic swan-studded lake, a forest land, beautiful pathways, and (you won’t believe this) a wish-fulfilling waterfall, and not to mention the druid caves. Blarney’s secret does not stop at the kissing stone. There are other highlights of the place that will completely bowl you over!
It is believed that if you walk backwards with your eyes closed down a set of steps that lead to the waterfall, it will grant your deepest wishes. No one can attest to that unless you are willing to give it a try!
It takes no less than a solid two hours to explore the garden in its entirety. You must keep at least 3 to 4 hours in hand to discover the twin beauty of the castle and its adjoining gardens with their multiple natural features. Please remember, there’s more to Blarney than just the legendary kissing stone.
Walk across to the Blarney Castle Shop to pick souvenirs, mementos, and exclusive gifts for your loved ones. Additionally, you can enjoy quick, savory bites over steaming cups of coffee at the cafe inside the premises.
Info on Timings and Tickets
Blarney Castle is open throughout the year from 9am to 5pm. Certain months in the summer, it is open up to 6pm. You can buy tickets online or on arrival at the Castle’s ticket office. There are no timed slots; you can visit the place anytime during its opening hours.
For adults, the admission costs 18 euros. For students and seniors it is 14 euros (students need to produce their IDs for discounts). Children of 8 to 16 years age it is 8 euros. There is free admission for children under 8.
Address, Phone & How to Reach
The Blarney Castle, which is situated in the village of Blarney, is approximately 8 kilometers northwest to the city of Cork, and is a 15-minute drive. The address is Monacnapa, Blarney, Co. Cork, Ireland. For queries, you can call 00 353 21 438 5252 or write to [email protected]. The castle lies just off the N20. It is a 3 to 4 hour journey from Dublin city.
The nearest train station is Cork Kent. Alternatively, you can avail of package day trips from Dublin and Cork. The 215 bus from Cork runs to Blarney village.
There is a car park on site at Blarney Castle against a flat fee of 2 euros for the entire duration of your time at the premises. However, you will attract a penalty of 40 euros if you do not remove your car at the designated closing hours.
