What to see and do at the Blarney Castle, Ireland
Blarney is a medieval castle in the town of Blarney, a small village located in Ireland northwest of the city of Cork.
The village is perhaps best known for the Blarney Stone, a famous tourist attraction that is said to grant the gift of eloquence to anyone who kisses it. Though earlier forts were built on the same spot in 1210, the current fort was built by the MacCarthy family in 1446. Bhlarna is an Irish word meaning 'the little field'.
We visited Blarney on 6/16/2022. While there we visited the castle, the Blarney House and its surrounding gardens, the Blarney Woollen Mills, and had a pint of Blemish beer with fish and chips and mushy peas in a local pub.
The Blarney Stone is located at the top of the Blarney Castle, a medieval fortress built in 1446 by the MacCarthy dynasty. Visitors to the castle climb a narrow staircase to reach the top, where they can lean backwards over a sheer drop to kiss the stone. The stone is set in the castle's battlements and is said to have been brought to Ireland from the Holy Land by the Crusaders.
In addition to the Blarney Stone, the village of Blarney is home to several other attractions, including the Blarney Woollen Mills, a large shopping center that sells Irish wool products and other souvenirs. The village also has a number of pubs and restaurants, as well as a number of walking trails that lead through the surrounding countryside.
Blarney is a popular destination for tourists visiting Ireland, particularly those who are interested in exploring the country's rich history and culture. In addition to the castle and the stone, the village offers a glimpse into traditional Irish life, with its charming streets, cozy pubs, and friendly locals.
Looking for things to do? Viator offers numerous tours to the Blarney area. Click here for details.
The main castle and tower.
At the top of the castle lies the Blarney Stone. Tourists visiting the castle hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence.
The walls of the castle.
Blarney House was built in 1874 overlooking the nearby lake.
A formal garden in the Blarney Gardens
The pathway through the gardens to the Blarney House.
The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricin and opium,.The Blarney Gardens
Old carriages at Blarney Castle
A tree in the gardens at Blarney Castle.
The town of Blarney
Built in 1823, the Blarney Woollen Mills was originally known as Mahony's Mills. It was a water-powered mill, producing mainly tweeds and woollens.
Local pub in Blarney near the woollen mills
The locals prefer Beamish over Guiness.
Fish and chips with mushy peas.