And a few reasons why you shouldn’t
Nestled in the woods about 15 minutes from the city of Cork, Ireland lies Blarney Castle and the infamous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that anyone that kisses the stone will be given the gift of gab. As cheesy as it sounds, and as touristy as a trip to Blarney Castle may be, I think it’s definitely worth adding it to your itinerary.
A trip to Blarney Castle begins with a short walk to the castle itself. From there you’ll begin your climb to the top. You’ll pass several floors and rooms on your way up. Most of the center of the castle is open to the elements as the floors have collapsed over the years. Markers on the wall indicate what the rooms used to be.
As you continue upwards, you’ll climb a spiral staircase to the top where you’ll be on the outer edges of the castle. Once it’s your turn, your attendant will hold you as you lay on your back and drop a short distance backwards to kiss the stone. It may sound like you’re going to be in some crazy yoga pose but it’s really not that bad. The stone is really the flat part of the castle wall. And I bet you’re thinking “that’s it?” and wondering if it’s even worth it.
Why You Should Go
As touristy as it may seem, it’s fun and a little thrilling all at the same time. Also, there’s so much more to do at Blarney than just kissing the stone. Blarney has several gardens and walking paths and you could spend hours just exploring it all. There’s even a poison garden. By the way, I do not recommend taking children into this garden unless you can guarantee they will not touch anything.
There are also some local artisan shops on the grounds from which you can purchase souvenirs. From the grounds, you can also walk a short distance to Blarney Woollen Mills. The store is massive but sells souvenirs from Ireland’s most famous brands such as Waterford Crystal, Belleek Pottery, and Butler’s Chocolate.
If you decide to pay a visit to the castle, here are some tips you should follow:
Do
Tip the attendant holding you. He is literally keeping you safe! One or two euros is fine and absolutely worth it.
Take valuables out of your pockets or zip your pockets and your jacket up (if you’re wearing one). Items can and will fall out if you don’t and there is no way to retrieve them.
Allow yourself time to walk the garden grounds. There’s so much more to see outside of the castle. Be sure to try out the Wishing Stairs!
Wear a rain jacket if there’s a chance of rain that day. Part of your wait time will be spent outside on the top of the castle.
Walk the short distance to Blarney Woollen Mills. It’s definitely worth the trip.
Get there early. The car park is not very large and once large tour buses get there, it’s even harder to find a space. I would recommend getting there right after they open to avoid circling the lot to find a space and it will also decrease your wait time.
Buy your tickets online before you go and avoid the lines. You can print them out at home before you leave and bring them with you.
Move to the side to take your photos. There will be a photographer up there to take your photo but if you want to take your own photo, please stand where the photographer is standing so that you do not block the line. And also, make sure that you are ready to go when it’s your turn. Don’t wait until it’s your turn to secure your valuables.
As much as I enjoyed climbing the castle to kiss the stone, there are some reasons why you shouldn’t go:
Don’t go if:
You have a fear of heights or of tight spaces.
You are afraid of germs. Think about it, a lot of lips have touched the Blarney Stone so if you’re afraid of germs, don’t do it. Likewise, if you have a weak immune system I would not recommend it. I don’t know for sure if anyone has ever gotten sick from kissing the stone, but you will be in tight spaces with a lot of people.
You have mobility issues. If mobility is a problem please don’t attempt the climb. There are no elevators to the top.
You are not physically in shape. You will have to climb stairs and there’s not room to turn back around. The stairwell is very tight in places. Apparently the people back in that time were extremely smaller than present day. Even my husband had to turn sideways a little bit to accommodate for his broad shoulders. So if you have a wide frame, this may be uncomfortable for you especially, as the line tends to back up and you may be left standing stagnant for minutes at a time. You can always take a look at the stairwell and judge for yourself whether or not you’re comfortable with it.
You’re afraid of looking a little foolish. Yes, you’re laying backwards and upside down to kiss a rock, but so is everyone else!
If you decide to make this a part of your itinerary, I guarantee you’ll always remember your trip!
Planning to drive to Blarney Castle yourself? Read this for all my tips on driving in Ireland!
