Visit Blarney Castle Tips for Visiting Blarney Castle, Ireland
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ค. 2024
- What to Know about Visiting Blarney Castle in Ireland.
Kissing the Blarney Stone and being gifted the gift of gab is a typical tourist stop when they visit Ireland. Blarney Castle is located about 30 minutes from the city of Cork and can be a fun day trip from Cork. Here are a few things you should know when you go to visit Blarney Castle.
1. Blarney Castle is Popular with Tour Groups: Blarney castle can get overrun with tour groups during the high season and even sometimes in the off season. Tour buses usually start showing up about 30 minutes after the grounds open. So to beat the lines be there first thing in the morning or visit late in the afternoon closer to closing time when most tour companies have left.
2. Don't Expect to See Period Pieces in the Castle: Blarney castle is mostly an empty ruin of a castle. The rooms are empty and they have little to no furniture in them. They do have renderings of how the rooms used to look.
3. Getting Up to the Blarney Stone Can Be Claustrophobic: getting up to the top and getting back down from kissing the Blarney Stone can be a claustrophobic person's nightmare. The circular staircases are very small and tight (the castle is a few hundred years old) and with all the tourists it can take some time to get to the top. So if you have limited mobility you may want to pass.
4. Kissing the Blarney Stone: Yes, you will kiss a stone that millions of others have kissed, so get over the hygiene issues. You will lie on your back and an attendant will help push you over the edge to kiss the stone upside down and then drag you back.
5. There is More Than Just the Castle: the grounds contain a manor house you can visit, a number of gardens that you can check out. We liked the Fern Garden with the waterfall and the Poison Garden which has plants that are poisonous to humans, so you may want to pay attention a bit more to your little ones if you pass by.
6. Don't Come Hungry: there are a couple of food options on the grounds at Blarney Castle, but nothing to write home about, so it may be best to eat before you come or have a snack in your bag.
7. Getting There: Blarney Castle is about 20-30 minutes from Cork by car. There are buses and tour companies that can bring you our to the castle grounds daily.
Filmed at Blarney Castle, Ireland
Copyright Mark Wolters 2018
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Hi, I'm irish and from cork and have been to blarney alot. Just want to let people know that there are at least 3 restaurants and a large pub/bar in the village that serves food and there is also the well know Blarney woolen mills store, shop, bar and restaurant so there are plenty of options to eat in Blarney.
I'm really afraid of heights. When I got to the top of blarney castle, I started to panic. The staircase up was so packed that I couldn't escape by going back the way I came. The only way out was past the stone. I closed my eyes, kissed the damned thing, and got back to ground level asap. It was a really fun experience in the end. I did see one old guy get all the way to the stone, look down, and say "there's no way".
The Gift of Gab is also real. People now tell me to stfu all the time.
thats hilarious... and a good memory :)
Blarney Castle is how I learned that I'm claustrophobic, LOL! But it was really worth it! Also, if you ARE mobility impaired (like me), you can ask to go up the 'exit' staircase, which is a bit wider. I got stuck in the kitchen room or something and was basically just crying because I couldn't keep going up. The staff was incredible and help me up the rest of the way and then made sure I got back out.
So true. The workers were really helpful and friendly.
Kayla Matheney great advice! So glad you experienced the kindness of the Irish.
You really have to experience that narrow staircase to understand what it's like. There's almost no way to describe it.
yeah, my videos did not do it 'justice'
I'm so excited to visit Ireland. Its going to be my first time traveling overseas. I'm going with my boyfriend in late April.
enjoy your trip, be prepared for all weather, we can get 4 seasons in one day
That sounds exactly like where I'm from in Ohio. I always have a jacket and umbrella with me everywhere I go.
Hey Katlynn, I'm from near Pittsburgh and was in Ireland a few years ago...kissed the stone of course but had a great time in Cork as well, very friendly people ! Also, when your in Dublin check out The Brazen Head Pub, oldest pub in Ireland ! Had a super time there and if they are playing Irish music you will just love it ! Btw, if your there say hi to Pat Burns...the manager there...great guy ! Oh, btw, they have a Steeler bar in Dublin too...watched a game there, had a blast ! Have a great time...its amazing, ...also do the Guiness brewery tour in Dublin and check out gravity bar....I could go on and on, haha...Enjoy !
I will definitely check these out. Thank you so much for the suggestions. While in Cork we planning to go see a footie game.
Katlynn Marie remember a coat XD
Quick tip on how to avoid crowds is to come later in the day and be among last people to go up. You can actually stay in the gardens after Blarney officially closes, you can't get in, but doors for letting people out will stay open. I also love to take little picnic with me and enjoy it there. Gardens are pretty big and you can easily find a place just for yourself.
For people asking about the restrooms, there are few there, so you are covered.
And for all the photographers out there, sun sets behind the castle (that would be behind Mark's back in the video) and days in Ireland are pretty long, so plan accordingly.
Mark, as someone from Cork Ireland you are right about my home city. I'm in the minority but Cork people will hate on you if you say anything thats even negative about Cork. Keep up the vids! 🇮🇪
Awesome hints. Thanks Wolter.
welcome to Ireland Mark :) hope you enjoy the scenery, the people and most of all, the craic
Another awesome video Mark.I am so excited to do my first semi long term travel (2nd out of the country travel) in March to Colombia and Ecuador for 7 weeks. Thank you to you and Jocelyn for being inspirations to travel. Best wishes and travels to you and your family!
Thank you Melissa! We are heading to Ecuador soon too! Looks so cool. I wish we were visiting Colombia too. Have fun!
Melissa Jernigan we may bump into you. 👍
Welcome to Ireland I'm from Tyrone on the border love your tips very informative xx
I really enjoy your videos. Thanks
The gardens are amazing! Spend an hour in the gardens, 30 mins in Castle
Even though the castle is empty, going into the rooms gives you a better understanding of the small quarters they lived in. It is true that even the poor of today live better than the very wealthy of only two hundred years ago. Walking up the circular steps was an experience. There are areas where there is no metal railing. They put a rope in it's place, so you are pulling yourself up some steps using the rope. It is quite the experience and well worth it.
Hi Learning More, I agree with you as well about my experience at Blarney Castle….you could tell that times were tough back then & those Irish ancestors had to be much tougher than any of us are nowadays! And those steps….OhMyGosh that was hard for me then too….I didn’t feel too secure with those ropes, instead of the metal hand railings! (See also my recent comment/post above) It was an experience that I’ll never forget, that’s for sure. I really loved the kindness & generosity of the Irish people we came across on our driving trip, as well as their great sense of humor! Staying at B&Bs was a great way to be able to meet so many sweet locals along the way too! It was my favorite vacation of all time….so many amazing memories of the Emerald Isle ☘️
Fabulous
This video was very honest & informative, thanks! I really wish I could have watched it before my trip to Blarney Castle though! I was lucky enough to be able to tour Southern Ireland by car with my best girlfriend in September of 2011. What a fun vacation it was too, such great memories! My friend had already gone to the top of Blarney Castle on a previous trip with her daughter, and her knee was hurting, so she said that she would wait down below for me. Wish I hadn’t gone up alone, it was treacherous even in sneakers & jeans & I could have used some help. The smooth steps were damp from fog & quite slippery so I had to climb slowly. In some spots, there weren’t any handrails or ropes & I was often a bit scared! I slipped once & ended up on my knees. Ouch! Almost bailed out at that point, but was determined to get to the top. Once at the top, the views were spectacular, the grounds were so lush & green! It was very cool to actually be at this famous location. There were just about three people in line waiting at the Stone. The older gentleman helping us get positioned was very nice & I tried to give it a go. Sadly my back couldn’t handle the back-bend position to allow me to get way down to the Stone for a kiss, so I told the gentleman that I had to abort the mission. He brought me up & even though I was disappointed I couldn’t complete the task, I felt happy to have at least have made it to the top of the Blarney Castle without breaking a bone or two! The way down was much easier, btw. We girls also enjoyed wandering through the lovely gardens, visiting the Woolen Mills & the gift shop. Blarney is a lovely area, well worth the stop! Give it a go at the castle if you’re up for the challenge! ☘️
Nice video, good explanation.
You picked a good place to visit deep in the Rebel County great place to be Cork
Hey Mr. Wolters. Love the videos! My wife and have been binge watching them for two days now and are super jealous. If we ever dig ourselves above the poverty line we hope to visit some of these beautiful places but until then we are enjoying the vicarious visits your videos allow. Please keep up the great work. You recommend eating before going to Blarney because of the lack of facilities but what about restrooms?
Blarney castle looks really cool
Itvwas a fun day trip
Jamie and I are planning a trip to Ireland in 2019, cross your fingers we can go ;) but definitely gotta kiss the Blarney Stone. As touristy as it is, it’s like a must for your first time to Ireland!
Cork has some great spots. West Cork is the best though hiking and trekking out there is amazing.
Hi, Mark. Thanks, for the great video!Diana Batista 😊
Thanks Diana!
Cobh is a lovely place to go in Cork plus the City is nice to walk around. Should also watch The Young Offenders it's a funny movie/series set in Cork City.
Cobh in Cork is the last place where Titanic anchored.
the place is amazing :O
Hey Mark, great video as always, you coming to Manchester, England sometime? The city’s experiencing some rapid growth, really vibrant at the moment! :)
As tourist traps go, it's one of my favorites, even doing it from a bus trip on eCoach on a day at port. This is fun in a kitchie way and the area around the castle, including mills stores are pretty good. I kissed the thing, but did not slip it the tongue for better luck. In any case, Kinsale is not far away and the port area and great places for lunch there are great.
Well said. And Kinsale is amazing. That is the place to go when you are down by cork. Such a cute town.
Len Berkowitz ewww no you don't use tongue kissing the rock Jesus lol if you do use tongue you will probably get a deserved stone related cut
yup, just a joke.
But, you already have the gift of gab! :)
you should come up to Carrickfergus castle in northern Ireland
Hey Mark. What kind of camera do you use?
I'm dying to go visit where my family comes from. And if I would quit booking Disney trips!
How long are you in Ireland for?
Quick question: Since you and your family visited so many parts of the world, does it make the world feel super small? My fear is the world feeling smaller because I will travel in the future too.
Yeah had the same problem at limerick castle some years ago...got stuck....need some push and shuv :-)
yep :)
I was there in November 2013 ! there is a cave at the foot of the castle
I waited 5 minutes in line to kiss a rock that millions of lips had touched. As a botany enthusiast, I liked the poison garden.
Welcome to ireland 🇮🇪
I think an advantage of visiting Ireland, in general, over some other places is the nothing is major touristy, nothing compared to the crowds, traps and overcharging you might find in Rome or Paris, for example.
When were you in Cork ! My neck of the woods ♥️ did you go to Jameson in Midleton or Cobh to the Titanic Museum?
we hit a few. Really loved Kinsale
there is lots of cafes and restaurants at the car park
I talk enough BS I do beer reviews hahahaha love yah brother, happy to say I am hitting the UK very soon Cheers
Hey P! Glad to hear from you again. Hope life is treating you well.
Wolters World not as well as it should but I’ll make the best of it hahahaha will love finally traveling abroad again great vid bro cheers
Dia dhuit Mark!
how long to walk back downstairs? different stairway?
Wow I had no idea that was the Blarney "Stone" thanks! That stairway looks generous compared to my worst stair story, the stair to the top of the Florence Duomo dome, super narrow, I went up three feet, someone else was coming, I backed out, and the guide pushed me to the exit and screwed me out of my fee. Never again.
its the irish version :)
I have a question not related to the video. Is there any place you have not visited and still want to go to? Because it looks like you have been everywhere.
I am irish,but when you think about it s hilarious people queuing up to kiss a stone
Evidently, its evil power works!
Visit Cobh beautiful seaside town near Cork
Where else are you going to in ireland? ?
Nice! Wjat are bucket list countries/cities thst you guys haven't visited yet?
Egypt, New Zealand, Rwanda
Wolters World cool
I can probably make it up there but there is no way I could lay on my back on the ground. Will they let me kiss my hand and then touch my hand to the stone?
Samantha Gaudet that doesn't count I'm sorry to say
Been watching your videos for a long time! Maybe it’s time you watched ours lol
Mark, you should come to Waterford Ireland. I can show you around and make a real Irish dinner for you!!
I was there! we filmed a few videos there too. I was really surprised how nice Waterford was. It doesn't pop up on top lists of Ireland but it should. It really is worth visiting. we liked it.
Wolters World wish I saw you! 😔
Im from Tramore but i live in london
But what if you already have the gift of gab? Just sight see and pass on the kissing
pomfret and pommes frites nah you gota kiss it to get the gift that's kinda how it works but not only that you will always have the Heart of the Rebel county with you
Nicest castles on the island are Dunluce and Carrickfergus.
Wolter I'm gonna hit the lottery and follow you around on vacations
:)
if you go off season, there's no waiting and no lines at all.
Kind of disagree with u on the comment Cork does not have a tone of things to do.Its more that some of the things to do in Cork can be difficult to find as there hidden down narrow roads and you have to go looking to find them. The sites are also in many different places. While most of the sites are public transport accessible you do need a car too to get to some of them.
Such a strange ritual to kiss a huge rock that used to be the bottom of a toilet. x,D
Kiss a glass of murphys much more worthwhile and money well spent don’t be a fool and go here greetings from cork ❤️
I just blew it a kiss.
Somedays that's the better way :)
when i visit blarney castle i will take alot of pics..but i will lie about kissing the stone..because people will ask.."why did you not kiss the stone..?"
hi
hi
I used to work with a girl in the late 80's/early 90's who dated an Irish man. He said the locals would sneak in at night and pee on the blarney stone. lol
Did you get the gift of speech and quick wits?
I'm Irish and it's actually pronounced baloney castel/stone
Yeah really annoys me when people say "ba-lar-nee" instead of "ba-lo-nee". It's in Irish duh
Who's here from watching a video of people pee on that stone lol
Sean: I build a castle for my dog
Me: did you just a copied blarnery castle
How did you feel (hygiene-wise) about kissing that stone that millions of people have also kissed? My biggest fear would be catching something.. Or is this a myth?
They wipe it off
Wolters World they shouldn't wipe it off when you kiss the Stone you will get the gift of the gab and always have The heart of the rebel county with you
Imagine someone with Ebola kissed that rock and forgot to wipe it off lol
That’s not very hygienic to kiss after a bunch of strangers 💋😂😂
Does your head hag off the Side of the castle because if that’s the truth I don’t want to kiss the stone
A little bit
😂
First
nice to see you getting first again sully
Best question I am about 2 ask you and it might start ww3..... is beer better in Ireland or Germany?🤔 plez don't hang me people
"Cork doesn't have much to do."
The fuck are you on about?