How to Visit Blarney Castle
Here's our guide on Blarney Castle in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, how to kiss the Blarney Stone, a self-guided tour, opening hours, when to go, and how to get.
Without any doubt, Blarney Castle is a top attraction in Ireland. Situated only a few kilometers from Cork, this is one of the most famous castles in the country.
The castle was built almost six hundred years ago, and the fortification remains impressive to this day.
Today, the castle offers scenic views of the lush green countryside of County Cork, and the surrounding park is perfect for easy walks.
However, the main reason why many travelers decided to incorporate this castle into their Ireland itinerary is the iconic Blarney Stone, also known as the Stone of Eloquence.
Upon kissing the stone, the kisser receives the gift of the gab, or that's what the legend says.
And finally, due to its proximity to Cork, Blarney Castle is one of the most popular places you can visit while in County Cork.
Simply put, Blarney Castle is considered by many to be one of the best castles in Ireland.
But thanks to steep admission, big crowds, and the kissing-stone activity, Blarney Castle also gets a lot of flak for being one of the major tourist spots in the country.
And some people even say it's a tourist trap and it's better to avoid it. What was our experience? Let's find out.
So here's everything you should know about Blarney Castle before you go.
Why Visit Blarney Castle
Without any doubt, Blarney Castle is one of the best things to do in Cork.
The castle sits less than 10 kilometers from the city center and is extremely well-accessible, especially for travelers who don't want to rent a car.
Once you reach Blarney, you can visit the castle, kiss the stone, and explore the extensive park, so it's easy to spend several hours there.
Furthermore, it's a great place to visit on a day trip from Cork, even without a guided tour.
History
It's believed that a wooden structure stood on this spot before 1200, but there is no evidence to back up this story.
In 1210, a new stone fortification was built here. Blarney Castle was destroyed in 1446 but later rebuilt by Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry.
It was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and seized by Lord Broghill in 1646.
The property had several owners in the following years, and in the 18th century, it was purchased by Sir James St John Jefferyes.
The stone castle has three-meter-thick walls at the base and is very impressive.
Today, Blarney Castle became one of the most visited places in Ireland.
Visiting the Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle sits northwest of Cork and is well accessible from the city.
However, we were approaching this area from the northeast. On the way from Dublin, we explored County Wicklow and County Tipperary.
It was a wonderful journey, but coming from this direction presented us with a more practical question of when we should actually visit Blarney Castle.
Even though it might seem a bit unintuitive, we decided to drive to Cobh first, then explore Cork and visit Blarney Castle on the way out of the city.
So we arrived in Blarney from Cork just after lunch, and the town seemed very lively.
The area around the main square was humming with life, and there were people everywhere.
We missed the turnoff to the official parking, but that was luckily not a big deal as we simply turned the car around at the next available opportunity.
Entrance
After a few days on the road, Blarney Castle was our first proper tourist experience in Ireland.
Sure, we have already seen Powerscourt House and Gardens or Glendalough Monastic Site, but both sites were surprisingly quiet.
On the other, the first impression of Blarney Castle was touristy and busy. Due to the castle's reputation, that's not the most groundbreaking discovery.
However, this site won't most likely become your favorite if you prefer quiet places.
We bought the expensive tickets and started exploring the castle grounds right away, with the castle itself being our first stop.
Blarney Castle
A well-maintained path brought us to the castle entrance, where we discovered that the castle grounds were still very quiet, at least when compared to peak season.
The thing that gave away this little secret was the small signs along the pathway indicating waiting times (90 minutes, 60 minutes, etc.).
And we were lucky enough to walk directly to the castle's entrance without ever stopping (except for the photos).
The reason there are such long waiting times is that if you want to go inside the castle and climb to the top, you will need to use the same staircase as those who want to see the Blarney Stone.
So even if you don't want to kiss the stone, you will still need to wait with the rest as there is no alternative path.
The problem is that we believe the castle interiors are worth seeing, but we probably wouldn't wait for more than thirty minutes to go inside.
One of our favorite things about Blarney Castle was that the ruins really bring you back in time.
Walking through the cold and damp corridors, exploring bare chambers, and climbing narrow stairs is a fantastic experience for everyone who is at least slightly interested in what life looked like all those centuries ago.
Sure, some might argue that the castle is basically a ruin compared to Kilkenny Castle or even Cahir Castle, but we actually liked it.
Blarney Stone
Without any doubt, the iconic Blarney Stone is the main attraction at the castle. And it's easily one of the most tourist things we've ever seen. And we saw a lot.
Mind you. We hadn't read anything about the stone before the trip, so we had just a general idea from the information we gathered at the castle's information boards.
Climbing very narrow stairs to the top of the tower took way longer than we expected, and we still had no idea why it took so long.
When we appeared at the top, we soon found out why our progress wasn't swift.
The act of kissing the stone is not as easy as it might seem at first sight. To receive the gift of eloquence, you need to earn it first.
So once you reach the top of the tower, you will need to wait in line in order to approach the stone. Then lie on your back, hold onto the iron railing, and tilt your head back to be able to kiss the stone.
Plus, there was a guy securing the people kissing the stone and a photographer taking pictures of them.
The whole scene seemed just a bit bizarre, especially as we later learned that on a busy day, you could even spend here an hour or two waiting for this experience.
We also noticed that the locals were way more cheerful than the international tourists and had a great time while queuing.
On the other hand, the results should be imminent.
We enjoyed the views from the top, bypassed the line, and skipped the activity.
Therefore, we remain inarticulate, as you can clearly see from our posts. But jokes aside, if you're less lucky than us, waiting two hours for this experience is not worth it.
By the way, this activity is as safe as it can be today for obvious reasons.
On the way out, don't miss the informative board on the castle wall that depicts the original and proper way of kissing the stone. It definitely used to be far more adventurous.
Castle Gardens
One of the best things about the Blarney Castle Gardens was that there were way fewer people around.
It was not as peaceful as our visit to Birr Castle, where it seemed we had the ground just for ourselves.
Still, walking around this area was far more relaxed than the stretch between the entrance and the castle.
Another great thing about the gardens is that there are plenty of interesting corners with different themes.
Himalayan Valley is full of magnolias, rhododendrons, and other species, Tropical Border has bananas and yuccas, Fern Garden features tall Dicksonias ferns, and the Carnivorous Courtyard is full of insect and arthropod eating plants.
The garden is also home to many exceptional tree species, with the gigantic Wester Red Cedar being the most famous one.
Poison Garden
However, our favorite attraction at Blarney Castle's gardens was the iconic Poison Garden, created to educate visitors about poisonous plants.
The garden aims to show that some plants are toxic and can be used for various purposes, including medical.
The plant collection features Mandrakes, Wolfsbane, Hemlock, or Nightshade.
Obviously, the sign indicates that you should enter the garden at your own risk and avoid touching and eating the plants.
Blarney Castle House
Within the park, you will also have a chance to visit Blarney Castle House.
Built in 1874, the Colthurst family still uses the house as their residence. This Scots baronial-style house can be explored on 30-minute guided tours for an extra fee.
It was closed on the day of our visit, so we could only admire it from the outside.
Blarney Lough
On the way to Blarney Lough, it started to rain. Compared to the castle area, there were only a few people around.
The further end of Blarney Lake is about two kilometers from the entrance, and it takes about an hour to complete the loop.
By the time we reached the exit, the rain had turned into a downpour and kept falling for another hour or two.
Town of Blarney
There are not many things to do and see in Blarney town, except for the castle. You will find a few hotels, restaurants, and stores in the town.
The most popular place for shopping is Blarney Woollen Mills.
How Much Time Do I Need
On a quiet day, allow yourself at least two hours for Blarney Castle.
Two hours at Blarney Castle will give you plenty of time to explore the castle, climb the tower, kiss the stone, and walk around the gardens.
If you want to explore this extensive site in a more relaxed manner and explore the gardens more thoroughly, allow yourself three to four hours.
Don't forget that Blarney Castle is one of the top attractions in Ireland and gets incredibly busy during the peak season.
On top of that, many locals plan an outing with their families and friends to the castle during the weekends.
We can't fail to mention that Blarney Castle is also extremely popular with bus tours.
Therefore, it's not unheard of that you might end up waiting for two hours in line just for the Blarney Stone on certain days.
Arriving at Blarney Castle on such a busy day might negatively affect your experience, so it's better to be prepared to avoid disappointment.
The best way to avoid crowds at Blarney Castle during the peak season is to start early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
It's simple advice that works not just here but pretty much at every site around the world.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Opening Hours
Blarney Castle is open from 9 AM to 6 PM from May to September. In the winter, the castle closes an hour early.
The last admission is 60 minutes before closing.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Blarney Castle is €18 per adult.
Unfortunately, the tickets are fairly expensive and might make you think twice about whether the castle is worth visiting or not, especially if you're visiting Ireland on a budget.
You can buy tickets in advance online or at the ticket office on arrival. They do not have time slots.
When to Go
Blarney Castle is open all year round. The complex has an extensive park, so the best time to visit Blarney Castle is from spring to autumn.
Summer is the perfect time to explore Emerald Isle but be prepared for crowds during this period.
Visiting Blarney in winter is perfectly fine.
Just make sure to know when is the best time to visit Ireland, as you will want to explore more places than just this site.
What to Pack
The castle grounds are extensive, and the steps at the tower are uneven. Therefore, make sure to bring comfortable shoes.
If you want to spend several hours there, don't forget to bring plenty of water with you and some snacks (in case you don't want to spend money at the on-site cafes or restaurants in the village).
You will also need a small daypack for all your essentials.
We were caught in the rain while exploring the grounds, so we were glad we wore our trusty rain jackets.
As the castle is very picturesque, make sure your travel mirrorless camera is fully charged.
Here you will find more tips on what to pack for Ireland.
How to Get There
Whether you rent a car in Ireland or use public transport instead, it's very easy to get to Blarney Castle.
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Car
We drove to Blarney Castle from Cork city center, and the GPS navigation showed us that the fastest route leads via Sunday's Well Road or Blarney Street.
What the navigation failed to mention was that some parts of the journey would include some very narrow streets.
If you're not a confident driver, this route might not be exactly for you - see tips for driving in Ireland.
On the way back, we didn't leave anything to chance and followed N20 all the way from Blarney back to Cork. While the traffic was heavier there, the experience was definitely less stressful.
Blarney Castle is 260 kilometers from Dublin (M7 and M8 route), and it takes about 3 hours to get there.
If you're starting your road trip in Dublin, make sure to include also the Wicklow Mountains and Kilkenny in your itinerary.
Limerick is only 100 kilometers north of Blarney Castle, and it takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to reach your destination via N20.
Seventy-five kilometers west of Blarney Castle lies the Killarney National Park, another major must-see place in Ireland.
Parking
Blarney Castle has designated parking which costs €2 for the duration of your visit.
This is a massive parking lot with a couple of hundred spaces, and it was really easy to secure a spot on the day of our visit.
Public Transport
Getting to Blarney Castle is easy, even if you don't have a car.
From Cork, a direct bus runs to Blarney village. The stop is only a few hundred meters from the castle entrance.
Here you will find more tips on how to get around Ireland.
Bus
You can take a 215 bus from Cork City Bus Station at Parnell Place to Blarney Village. Bus Eireann services this route, and the journey takes about twenty minutes.
Taking a bus to Blarney Castle is a great way to reduce your expenses.
Train
There is no train to Blarney. However, you might consider taking a train to get to Cork in the first place.
The main advantage is that Cork is well-connected with the rest of the country, and it's easy to get there from cities such as Dublin, Limerick, Killarney, or even Galway.
Tour
We've already outlined several ways to reach Blarney Castle, and we can't fail to mention guided tours.
Even though joining an organized trip to Blarney Castle tour might seem unnecessary, there are a few instances where you should consider this option.
The main advantage of guided tours is that they usually include more stops, such as the Rock of Cashel or Cahir Castle.
Another huge selling point is that you can visit all these places even on a day trip from Dublin, which would be otherwise pretty much impossible without a car.
Here you can reserve a popular Blarney Castle and Cork Tour from Dublin or Blarney Castle and Kinsale Tour from Cork.
Where to Stay
Cork is only a few kilometers from the castle, meaning that most travelers decide to stay in the city.
Obviously, Cork offers more attractions, restaurants, pubs, stores, and accommodations to suit all preferences than any other destination in this county.
As this is the second largest city in the country, it gets much busier and hectic.
If you prefer a quieter and more peaceful experience, you can opt for staying in Blarney instead. Even though this is a very small town, it's not difficult to find decent accommodation there.
Alternatively, you should be able to find a lovely B&B in the countryside for an even more tranquil experience.
Here we hand-selected the best hotels near Blarney Castle.
Blarney | Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel - Sitting in the heart of Blarney town, this hotel has a perfect location to explore the castle and village. Rooms are clean and spacious with stylish furnishings. The on-site restaurant serves modern Irish cuisine, and there is free parking in front of the hotel.
Cork County | Maranatha Country House - Situated only three kilometers from Blarney, this lovely bed and breakfast offers cozy rooms, lovely grounds, a welcoming host, and free on-site parking.
Cork | The Kingsley Hotel - Located in a quiet location, Kingsley Hotel offers individually decorated rooms with beautiful river views, an organic spa, an indoor swimming room, and two on-site restaurants. The hotel also has convenient underground parking.
Is Blarney Castle Worth Visiting?
In our opinion, Blarney Castle is definitely worth visiting, although there are a couple of things you should consider before you go.
As we mentioned earlier, the tickets are not cheap. If you plan to spend a whole day at the castle grounds, you're probably getting good value for your money.
On the other hand, spending an hour or two at Blarney Castle might not be such a great deal, at least when compared to other castles you can visit in Ireland.
Secondly, Blarney Castle gets busy on the weekends, especially during the summer. And the waiting times for the Blarney Stone can be annoying.
The good thing is that the site is extensive, so it's easy to find peaceful moments here, even during the peak season.
If you know what to expect, you should have a great time at Blarney Castle.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
