How to Spend a Day at Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle is one of the most-visited tourist sites in Ireland, attracting over half a million tourists every year. And so, it’s highly likely this gorgeous spot is on your Irish bucket list – and rightly so. However, I may be biased as I’m a local!
I grew up right here in Blarney! Yep, the village that’s home to the very famous Blarney Castle and Gardens is my hometown. And as a local, I’d like to tell you how much hard work has gone into beautifying the gardens over the years. And now today, walking through Blarney Castle and Gardens has become one of my favorite pastimes!
The Castle’s grounds sprawl across 60 acres, and I recommend allowing around 5 – 7 hours when visiting Blarney Castle. That way, you’ll have enough time to kiss the stone and explore the gorgeous gardens. As well as grab a coffee or snack at the on-site Cafe, which is located within an old stable.
What to know before visiting Blarney Castle
- Fees to enter Blarney Castle: Entrance to the castle is €24 per adult, €19 for students and seniors, and €12for children aged between 5 and 15. Children aged 5 and under are free. Alternatively, you can buy a family pass (two adults and two children) for €65.
- Aim to arrive here early: I recommend visiting Blarney Castle as soon as it opens at 9 am to avoid the crowds. Most coach tours tend to arrive at the castle after 10 am. When you get there, you should head straight to kiss the stone, as that way, you likely won’t have to queue.
- Best month to visit: May and June are the best months to visit Blarney Castle, as the weather is warmer and the gardens are in full bloom.
Morning – Kiss the Blarney Stone
Kissing the Blarney Stone (which is set 85 feet up in the castle battlements) is without a doubt THE most popular thing to do at the Blarney Castle. And I know – it sounds a bit strange – lying down on your back and leaning backward to kiss a magical stone that millions have kissed before you!
There is an iron railing for you to hold onto as you lean back and a staff member on hand to hold your legs if needed. The Blarney Stone is believed to give anyone who kisses it the ‘gift of the gab’ – i.e., the ability to talk eloquently.
Yes, the famous Blarney Stone was originally known as Lia Fáil or the Stone of Destiny, and its mysterious powers were first revealed to the McCarthy family. Or the family who originally built the Castle by a witch they had saved from drowning. Although the stone bestows the gift of gab, some folklore suggests that its magic is potent and, if disrespected or misused, may result in bad luck.
One of the main “curses” linked to the stone is that of removing anything from the castle grounds. It’s said that taking a rock, pebble, or stone from Blarney Castle invites dreadful misfortune, illness, and bad luck. As a result, the castle frequently receives packages from all over the globe containing “stolen” stones. Often accompanied by letters from visitors expressing regret and apologizing for the misfortunes they experienced after taking them.
Late Morning – Blarney Castle House
A short walk from the castle, you’ll find the Blarney Castle House. This mansion dates back to 1864, and the owner of Blarney Castle, Charles St John Colthurst, resides here for most of the year.
The house is Scottish Baronial in style and features pinnacles, crow-stepped gables, and an abundance of turrets topped with conical roofs. Inside, there is a grand double-height inner hall illuminated from above, a pair of interconnected drawing rooms, and a grand oak staircase.
You can see the inside of the house for an extra fee (around 6 euros). But it’s typically only open during the busier summer months.
Afternoon – Wander the gardens
Spend your afternoon here wandering around the gardens, allow at least 1-2 hours for this as there’s so much to see. Below, I’ve highlighted my favorite sections of the gardens to help you out!
- Fern Garden – A visitor favorite and oh so photogenic, the tall ferns were brought over from New Zealand!
- Poison Garden – This is exactly what it says on the tin, and it’s here to educate visitors on the poisonous plants found in Ireland, so safe to say, don’t touch anything!
- Herbaceous Border – At 100 meters long, this colorful herbaceous border is one of the most popular spots at the castle for a selfie.
- The Wishing Steps – A firm favorite with children, you must walk up and down these steps with your eyes closed and make a wish. Legend says that your wish will come true within a year.
- The Witches Kitchen – It is believed that this is the spot where the first cave dwellers in Ireland lived. And it is said that the witch behind the ‘gift of the gab’ lives in the “Witch’s Kitchen,” and she is imprisoned during the day and set free at night. If you get to this spot first thing in the morning, you may find a fire that was lit by a witch the night before!
Late Afternoon – Go for a hike
If you love to hike, there are three routes you can take through the grounds. The Woodland Walk, the Lake Walk, and the Riverside Walk are the three walking trails here.
The Woodland Walk goes through the woods and leads to the lake, and when you get to the lake, you can take on the Lake Walk, which will take around 45 minutes to complete. The longest hike here is probably the Riverside Walk, which runs west from the entrance to the Badgers Cave and follows the river Martin to the far end of the castle grounds. You’ll likely see birds like Kingfishers and maybe even otters in the river here.
All the walks are fairly flat, and I’d rate them as easy.
Getting to Blarney
The Blarney Castle is a 15-20 minute drive from Cork City and 30 minutes from Cork Airport. It’s easily reachable by bus from Cork City – the 215 bus departs from the Grand Parade or St Patrick’s Street in the city center.
The easiest way to get around Ireland is to drive. And so hiring a rental car is a great idea – we always use Discover Cars when we want to rent a car because you can search by ‘cheapest car rental rates’ and ‘most popular car rental deals’ – it’s so easy to use!
If you love the ease of a guided tour, then this guided tour of Blarney Castle that departs from Cork City is highly recommended! It’s a full-day tour which also visits Kinsale and Cobh. It costs from €89 per person.
Where to Stay in Blarney
- Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel – Located just 500 meters from the Blarney Castle and next door the famed Blarney Woolen Mills Store, this large-ish hotel is stylish and cozy and has recently undergone a makeover. There’s a bar, restaurant and fitness center on-site. Rooms here average around €127 per night.
- Blarney Castle Hotel – This is the closest hotel to the Blarney Castle and the rooms here are located above the well-rated restaurant. The rooms are quiet, cozy and the decor of the rest of the hotel is very ‘Irish’. Rooms here cost around €150 per night.
- Muskerry Arms Bar and B&B – This traditional-style B&B offers surprisingly spacious rooms above their popular bar. The Blarney Stone is just a 3-minute walk away. Expect to pay around €120 for a room here.
Slainte!
And there you have it, my top tips on how to spend a day in my neck of the woods – the gorgeous Blarney Castle and Gardens!
