Blarney Castle
Category: Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Landmarks & Historical Buildings
Blarney, Co. Cork(021) 4385252
12 reviews for Blarney Castle
12 reviews in English
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Review from Qype User (pa200…)
- 3 friends
- 1 review
- Qype User (pa200…)
Scarborough, North Yorkshire
UK12/11/2010
Went to Ireland in August 2010 on a coach holiday.
We were staying in Killarney, but we had excersion days and one of them was to Blarney Castle and Cork.
Blarney Castle is georgious, it realy is and the grounds around it are so beautiful.
Unfortunately we only had a hour there so didnt get my chance to kiss the stone as there was a massive que, but will deffinately be going back to give it a big kiss.
Well worth a visit -
Review from Qype User (nowrou…)
- 8 friends
- 76 reviews
- Qype User (nowrou…)
London
UK17/6/2008
Blarney Castle is sublime.The views of the Cork country side from the top of the castle are quite simply amazing.
The Blarney stone is here and ok you have to lean over a ledge to kiss the stone, I kissed the stone and now feel sure that the stone definitely explains my persuasive skills or my ability to win most arguments, or so I like to think.. -
Review from Qype User (meliss…)
- 28 friends
- 16 reviews
- Qype User (meliss…)
Belfast
Blarney Castle is one of those Irish experiences that shouldn't be missed. It's a short bus ride to Blarney from the city of Cork and more than worth the journey.
The grounds are gorgeous, with all that Irish emerald green and little paths, streams and bridges. The castle itself certainly shows its age but it in the best possible way, with all that old charm. Poking around inside the castle there are informative plaques to tell you about the different rooms, complete with artists' impressions to show what the rooms might have looked like.
It's great fun to crawl around through the little doorways, although those with any claustrophobia or fear of heights might have to grit their teeth and bear it just a little to get to the top. The day I went wasn't all that busy but there was still enough people that you were often left waiting for a short while for others ahead of you to climb the stairs.
The climb, however, is a must-do. At the top of the castle you will find the famous Blarney Stone, which legend states is meant to give you the "gift of the gab", i.e. the typically Irish ability to charm with eloquent banter.
The thing you don't tend to realise is that you can't just waltz up to the stone and give it a peck. The stone itself is housed in part of a wall which overhangs from a ledge at the very top of the castle. In order to be able to reach the Blarney Stone, an employed helper at the castle has to hold you round the waist as you lie on your back and hang backwards over a gap between the walkway and the stone. You do end up with only your hips and legs on the walkway, with the rest of your torso hanging over in order to reach. That being said, there are railings for you to hold onto, and the attendant does hold you very firmly and guides you swiftly enough that you don't have time to think about it. And whilst you can see the ground many many metres below, there are grated bars that, in the event that the almost impossible happened, would stop you falling.
I personally have a bit of a fear of heights and as I got closer to the front of the line and saw what was involved, I started to wonder if I could really do it. But every single person of every age and type and done it in the line before me, and by the time you get there the staff are moving you in and out so swiftly that you've no time to really argue. As you kiss the stone, a photographer takes your photo from a specially mounted camera - you can buy the photos if you like, when you descend back to the gift shop at the foot of the castle.
The view from the top of the castle is spectacular. You can see the gorgeous little village of Blarney as well as some beautiful Irish countryside, and there are some great little keyhole windows and such to take photos out of.
All in all, definitely worth a visit! -
Review from Qype User (acedis…)
- 5 friends
- 83 reviews
- Qype User (acedis…)
London
UK28/6/2008
I'm local, and had only been here as a child. I went again recently with some visiting friends and it's great fun. The best bit definitely being kissing the Blarney Stone - it's a lot scarier than I remember. But I've done it now, and have the gift of the gab.
The view from the top is spectacular too, especially for visitors, and there are some lovely walks in the grounds. -
Review from Qype User (Purcha…)
- 6 friends
- 1 review
- Qype User (Purcha…)
London
UK18/11/2008
If you are touring around Ireland then do make a stop here. The Castle has been preserved as best possible & is very informative about the history of it, including all the different rooms that once were. And of course there's the blarney stone to be kissed & captured on camera on the top of the castle!
But just as interesting is the surrounding grounds/gardens, which have different sections like the fairy garden or the rock close to explore - which I personally found more fun & interesting than the actual castle!
Great place to visit for couples, friends & families! -
Review from Qype User (lizmac…)
- 1 friend
- 3 reviews
- Qype User (lizmac…)
Bracknell
UK1/10/2009
The stone that gives you the "gift of the gab". It is the highest tower of Blarney castle, and you are asked to lean over the edge, hold on to the iron bars, and to tilt your head back to kiss the stone.They take photos of you, which you can purchase from the gift store below -which on the time of me going was about 18.00 euros for 2 pics :)
Its a beautiful view from the top of the castle,as the whole castle is built on a hill, with a fair walk to the castle from the car park, but you do cross over a little river/stream. The place really is beautiful and well worth a visit! -
Review from Qype User (Silver…)
- 5 friends
- 1 review
- Qype User (Silver…)
Frankfurt am Main, Hessen
Germany30/3/2011
Absolutley great, its a must going here the views and the castle.
would go early though, can get very crowded. The park around it is so beautiful.I will def. come here again. -
Review from Qype User (dcroni…)
- 236 friends
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- Qype User (dcroni…)
London
UK13/4/2012
Although I lived very close to Blarney for 20 years, I only got around to visiting twice. It's a nice local attraction and clearly works the magic on visiting tourists. It looks pretty but I would maybe avoid kissing the actual stone itself. I've heard a few stories that have put me right of!....
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Review from Qype User (rachel…)
- 6740 friends
- 75 reviews
- Qype User (rachel…)
London
UK4/2/2009
The 'Gift of the Gab'.
You can believe it is something of a gift when you arrive in Ireland and you can't hold your own against a nation of Olympic linguists. But can you get it from kissing a stone? Upside down, very ungracefully dangling with your chest protruding upwards for a photo of the underside of your chin with your mouth on a rock? hmmmm.... Is that perhaps a part of the gift of the gab? That they can talk you into doing this?
I did love it here. The run down castle and green grounds. The old fella with arms of steel holding all in sundry out over a very steep drop for the essential kiss.
Although I shall tell you something I had trouble shaking off. The locals love to tell you how at night as teenagers sneak in and pee on the rock. Tis possible. Definitely gross. Yet I twisted myself backwards and let an elderly man dangle me over a ledge, so there is far more magic at the site than there is in the stories that are 'gabbed' out. -
Review from Qype User (matnic…)
- 234 friends
- 15 reviews
- Qype User (matnic…)
Hamburg
GermanyA pretty interesting castle but to be honest I only went there to kiss the Blarney Stone. was worth it.
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Review from Qype User (romane…)
- 3 friends
- 3 reviews
- Qype User (romane…)
Dublin
23/11/2011
went there in 2004... magic place
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Review from Qype User (happyf…)
- 9 friends
- 5 reviews
- Qype User (happyf…)
Dublin
14/11/2008
This is a wonderful bit of I rish history, the castle itself is very well looked after and the grounds are a delight to sit in and walk around. There is a great sence of history about this place with it's watch towers, dungens and embrasures, but typical Irish there is an amazing sence of fun too. The Blarney stone, where else in the world would you find one of them, nowhere. To actually kiss the stone you have to be flat on your back leaned out over a 90 foot drop, dont worry a couple of mischeiveous locals hold you to ensure you dont fall while your picture is taken. The steps up and down from the Blarney stone are a little steep and great care is needed, one of the best sites for me was the fireplace half way up the wall in the main part of the castle, you can see it from he narrow spiral steps lading up to the Blarney stone. Great day out for all the family, children love the castle shops and cafe.
