Blarney Village and Blarney Castle - County Cork
Still within County Cork and easily reached within the hour from Millstreet via Macroom, the world landmark of Blarney Castle can be found just outside Cork City to the northwest. It is considered by many to be an intrinsic symbol of Ireland and Irish heritage and believed by many more to be one of the attractions that visitors just cannot miss.
Blarney Castle & Gardens
Blarney Castle, set amid beautiful wooded countryside, renowned tourist attraction in the Southwest of Ireland and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland, is situated approximately 3km from Cork City and only a few minute’s walk from Blarney Village itself. The Castle was built around 1446 and now stands within the Blarney Castle estate of over a thousand acres where you will also find woodland walks, the River Martin, an arboretum, the Rock Close and Blarney House and Gardens.
Queen Elizabeth
The current structure was preceded in 1210 by a stone structure and before that by a wooden hunting lodge in the 10th century. The Blarney Castle history includes stories about Cromwell, Queen Elizabeth and other famous figures all of which visitors can read about when they tour the castle.
Blarney Stone
One of the main reasons that over 40,000 people visit this impressive 15th century Castle each year is to kiss the world famous Blarney Stone, believed to bestow ‘the gift of the gab’. The word Blarney was introduced by Queen Elizabeth I into the English language and can be defined as ‘pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending’. To kiss the Stone, which is set in the wall, simply climb up to the very top of the castle turret via a narrow stone spiral staircase, lie on your back and reach under the battlements while an attendant keeps a tight hold of your legs and you grasp an iron railing.
Famous Visitors
There’s a safety grill too just in case! The queues can be quite long in the summer season so whilst you are there, don’t forget to admire the stunning views of the Irish Countryside, Blarney House and Blarney Village before descending. Beat the long wait by getting there early or leave it until later in the day when the crowds have started to drift off. Famous visitors to Blarney Castle include Winston Churchill, Laurel & Hardy, Mick Jagger and Billy Connolly.
Wishing Steps
But this isn’t the only reason so many people visit Blarney Castle. The Rock Close, part of the wonderful gardens of the Blarney Estate, is laid out on a pre-historic Druids site whose intriguing and enchanted sights include the Wishing Steps, the Witches Kitchen, the Head Druid’s Cave, the Witches Stone, the Fairy Glade and the Druids Circle. The recommendation is to visit during daylight hours as many people find it quite an eerie place at night.
Blarney House
The restored Blarney House also stands within the grounds of the Blarney Castle Estate and was completed in 1874. An attraction in itself, this new house in Scottish baronial style south of the present keep of the castle, replaced the original Georgian gothic house located against the keep of the castle which was destroyed by fire in 1820.
Blarney Lake
With its extensive lawns, shrubs, trees and flower beds, it can be visited by the public but only during the summer months. Overlooking Blarney Lake, visitors can admire the collection of works of art, tapestries, family portraits and furniture on display in the House.
Souvenir shops
There are two souvenir shops, a bureau de change and refreshments are also available. Wedding parties who wish to take wedding photos in the castle are admitted for free!
The Castle is currently owned and managed by the Trustees of the Blarney Castle Estate.
Blarney Woolen Mills
Central to Blarney Village is The Square which is picturesque and well preserved. Previously used for markets, it is now a grass enclosure considered to be the focal point of village life. Once a thriving manufacturing village, built in 1824, Blarney Village now survives and thrives mainly on the tourist trade.
For the craft enthusiast and shopper, the Blarney Woollen Mills outlet within Blarney Village has become one of the largest craft shops in Ireland.