Blarney Castle, Ireland: Home of the famous Blarney Stone.


Blarney Castle, Cork

This afternoon, my focus is on Blarney Castle  which lies very close to the pretty village of Blarney in the south of Ireland, just 8km from the city of Cork. This site attracts high volumes of visitors each year whose prime objective is to visit and kiss the famous Blarney Stone which is located at roof level with access entailing a climb up some 127 steps.

Kissing the Blarney Stone, Blarney Castle

Today, the castle remains extend to just the keep which essentially comprises a 15th century tower house inside which the vaulted first floor was once the Great Hall.

View of castle from gardens

Interior of Blarney Castle

Key aspects of the facility:
  • Kissing the Blarney Stone entails being suspended backwards under the parapet. This act is believed to confer a magical eloquence on the participant.
  • In addition to the castle, there are 60 acres of parkland, gardens, avenues and arboretums.
  • Rock Close, a supposed mystical place on the site of an ancient druidic settlement.
  • 19th century Blarney House (open in Spring only) which is accessed via a walk through flower and fern gardens and a herbaceous border.
Aquatic feature in garden

Blarney House

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