If you are an adventure lover, and Ireland’s on your radar, chances are you’ve heard a thing or two about Blarney Castle, or perhaps you’re familiar with the infamous Blarney Stone – the secret to becoming a smooth talker.
Yep, it’s said that kissing this stone grants you the “gift of gab” meaning the ability to speak with eloquence and fluency, but here’s the kicker: you must do it while dangling upside down about 90 feet in the air. Pretty nerve-wracking, right?
During my research, I came to know about this stone’s daring position (Here’s a friendly tip: always do your research before embarking on a trip. It’ll help ensure your journey goes smoothly and you make the most of your experience!)
So, after hearing the height, the first thing that popped into my head was, why 90 feet? Couldn’t they find a safer spot?
Well, if you’re as curious as I am, buckle up because we will begin on an adventure to uncover every nook and cranny of Blarney Castle! By the end of our journey, you’ll have all the answers you’ve been itching for. Let’s dive right in.
So first question: Why is it Blarney?
According to the dictionary, blarney means talk which aims to charm, flatter, or persuade people and the interesting fact is- it is often considered typical of Irish people. It made me curious and I looked on to know the reason and found the fascinating tale.
According to legend, Queen Elizabeth I wanted McCarthy to surrender Blarney Castle, but he cleverly used charm and persuasion to delay negotiations. He distracted the Queen and the Earl of Leicester and the castle was never seized. The Queen eventually used the term “blarney” to describe the Earl’s pointless progress reports and McCarthy’s excuses, leading to the word’s entry into the Irish language.
Some say magic was there too. During the threats from the English, McCarthy traveled to speak to the Queen but was convinced he would still lose his land as he was not an effective speaker.
Before he left, however, he met with an old woman, some say the witch, who told him of the power of a particular stone in Blarney Castle that would give him the gift of the gab should he kiss it. McCarthy went on to convince the Queen and now we know that he was quite successful.
Fast forward to today, people kiss the stone hanging upside down to acquire the “Gift of gab”. But-
Why do people kiss the Blarney stone upside down?
Well, because it’s the only way to reach the stone. The stone makes a small part of the castle’s wall and to reach it you have to go down about six inches from the rooftop base. So you have to lie on your back and lean backward a lot. An iron railing will be there to help. So, you will lean backward holding on tight to the iron railing to avoid falling, all while handling the dizzying sight of the ground from 90 feet up.
To be honest, I felt a bit frightened. The castle seemed really ancient, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it could handle all the visitors. But as I explored, I quickly realized I was wrong to doubt its strength but my guess about its age was spot on. Though kissing the stone only became a thing in the 18th century, the stone itself has been part of the castle since 1446.
We will hear the stories but for those who are really afraid of heights, don’t worry, you’ll be in good hands. A trained attendant will be there to guide you through the process, ensuring your safety every step of the way. And trust me, It’s definitely much safer than how people used to kiss the stone in the past.
They used to have visitors tie their ankles together before kissing it, can you believe that? What a daring tradition! Well, as they say, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it!
This practice came to an end when a rumor spread that a traveler slipped free and tragically fell to his death. Yeah, sometimes the old ways aren’t necessarily the best ways.
But the good news is Blarney Castle is not all about the stone, it’s much more than that! So if you are worried, skip the 90 feet.
More than the kiss!
As I approached the castle grounds, the first thing that caught my eye was the imposing structure. The castle itself is a beauty. Its rich history dates back over 600 years, and exploring it feels like going on a time-traveling adventure—I still remember every little nook and cranny from my visit last January, and, it was epic!
I hopped on a train from Heuston Station in Dublin, and after a scenic ride through the Irish countryside, I arrived at Cork Kent Station. From there, a quick bus ride took me straight to the doorstep of Blarney Castle. Easy peasy!
And then I met the castle. Surprisingly, this castle is not the first castle to have been erected on the site. First, a 10th-century wooden structure was built, followed by a stone building around 1210 A.D. In 1446, that castle was destroyed and rebuilt by Cormac MacCarthy, the King of Munster.
And here, Blarney Stone started its journey. The stone was added to the tower of the castle in 1446 to reinforce the castle in the form of a battlement. To reach the stone, you will need to endure a steep climb that involves 127 steps of spiral staircases.
This climbing is an adventure in itself! On each floor, there were opportunities to step off and see rooms that held tales of the past. Entering every room, I could feel the fascinating lives led within this fortress.
The general rooms were not too big, though seemed fine for old times. There was signage all over to guide the way. As I followed that, the next surprise came on, the rooftop view.
Reaching the roof, I was greeted by breathtaking views of the grounds below. I guarantee whether you’re in line to kiss the famous Blarney Stone or simply soaking in the scenery, the castle’s height will offer an unforgettable perspective.
We came down with a different spiral staircase, and the excitement only grew. This new route led us to even more fascinating rooms and discoveries within Blarney Castle. Let me name a few.
The murder room
This room was located above the main entrance of Blarney Castle. The name sounds scary, but don’t be afraid, no actual murders happened there. Instead, it had a square hole where guards would throw rocks and weapons at intruders. This helped protect the castle from attacks, keeping its inhabitants safe. So, though it sounds scary, it was really just an important defense spot in the castle.
The Witch’s Kitchen
No, no, Witch’s Kitchen is not an actual kitchen rather it is a rock formation that resembles a kitchen. It’s located near the base of the castle and is often included in guided tours of the castle grounds. People believe this was the witch from the myths, who started the kissing tradition.
But I have heard there more mysterious stories. The witch is said to be free during the nighttime, and if you visit the place very early in the morning, you can see dying embers of the fire in the nearby cave.
I’ll definitely go back to Blarney Castle, but you won’t catch me anywhere near that cave! No never. Rather look for me in Herbaceous Border.
The Herbaceous Border
You absolutely can’t miss the Herbaceous Border at Blarney Castle! Stretching 100 meters long, it’s like stepping into a floral paradise.
At the top, there’s an enchanting 80-meter rose pergola adding to its charm. The border is made up of mixed herbaceous plants, and some say it’s a must-see during the summer months. In those months, it’s bursting with mixed herbaceous plants, and in the autumn it’s painted with vibrant colors. So, whether you visit in the summer or autumn, it’s sure to leave you in awe.
For the greenery lovers, there is more. Barnley Castle has 60 acres of gardens, including poison garden, fern garden, ice house, and arboretums. Yes, you heard it right. POISON GARDEN!
POISON GARDEN
To be honest, I never would have imagined encountering 70 different toxic plant species all gathered in one spot. All of these were arranged to educate the visitors about the poisonous plants found both in the wild and gardens. Even, the most dangerous plants were caged.
If you are visiting Blarney Castle, make sure to visit this spot. Don’t be worried, you will see the sign that warns, ‘Do not touch, smell, or eat any plant!’ Just need to keep your children safe.
Last but certainly not least, I must mention Blarney House.
Blarney House
I caught a glimpse of this fairytale-like dwelling from the castle’s top, and how to miss this beautiful architecture?
It is mainly the residence of the Colthurst family, who have owned the estate since 1704. Blarney House is open for tours during the summer months when the family takes a holiday.
If you take a walk, it is not that far away, approximately only 200 meters south of the castle. I went in and it was an extraordinary experience, although it did feel a tad like peeking into someone’s home while they were away. But it was worth it to see how the family managed to blend modern life into this historic house.
So, don’t miss this one too. House tours commence every half-hour, and you’ll need an additional ticket, available for €6 at the door.
You can guess that from the hauntingly beautiful gardens to the fascinating architecture, there’s something to captivate every adventurer. A few that I didn’t mention were Bog Garden, Giant Rhubarb, Badger’s Cave, Druid’s Cave, Wishing Steps, the Horse Graveyard, an ice house, and large woodlands to walk through. Other amenities that were added for the convenience of visitors are court exhibition rooms and a café and souvenir shop. I ended my journey with some traditional food and buying some gifts.
As I journeyed back to Dublin, with all other memories one element stuck with me: the warmth of Irish hospitality. Everywhere I went, I was greeted with smiles and stories, making my trip truly unforgettable. I would rate it a 10 out of 10.
Summary
So, for the people gearing up to visit Blarney Castle, here’s the lowdown:
- Be sure to arrive early to beat the crowds and enjoy the tranquility of the castle grounds. Sometimes it can take more than hours to reach the top only, if you are late.
- Don’t forget to pack comfortable and sturdy shoes with good traction for climbing those spiral staircases. I repeat as they can be slippery.
- Be aware if you are claustrophobic. 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. Even the steps don’t allow for turning around, which can be uncomfortable.
- Keep cash on you. Tickets to Blarney Castle cost around €20 for adults, €16 for students and seniors (65 and older), and €9 for children ages 6–16. Sometimes, for small purchases, they might not accept credit cards.
- Look for special events, that can unlock more places.
- Plan to spend several hours exploring the grounds, I guarantee you will enjoy the place.
- Do try their local cuisine. But hey, you can carry your food too.
- Oh, and most importantly keep your camera handy – you’ll want to capture every moment of this magical adventure!
So, the Irish may have an innate trait or talent that we either have or don’t, but there’s one way of getting it. It has attracted millions of people over the centuries—Winston Churchill, Mick Jagger, the Simpsons, and many more.
Some surely believe that kissing the stone gave Winston Churchill the gift of gab, which helped him become British prime minister in 1940. So, what about you? When are you going to try?
