Ah, so you hope to kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the gift of the gab. Well, before you kiss the infamous stone, what even is it, and why did people start kissing it? And what’s the gift of the gab??
- The Blarney Stone
- What happens when you kiss the stone?
- What to expect
- Visiting info
- Visit this iconic Irish site
The Blarney Stone
The Blarney Stone is a block of limestone built into Blarney Castle near Cork, Ireland. Many people debate the origins of the stone, with one theory suggesting it’s part of the Stone of Scone—another historical rock that’s been used for the coronation of Scottish (and now British) monarchs for thousands of years. The Stone of Scone, aka Stone of Destiny, is alleged to be the stone biblical Jacob used as a pillow in the Holy Land that was later brought to Ireland during the Crusades. Could the Blarney Stone be this same “pillow”?
Another theory materializes as a more fantastical story, saying a man, Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, rescued a witch from a river, and as thanks she told him this specific stone built into the castle held magical powers that could be harnessed by kissing it.
There are numerous other improbable theories listed on the Blarney Castle website and throughout the internet, but whatever the origin of the stone, the legend remains. People started kissing the stone over 200 years ago, and since then people from all over the world have visited the castle to kiss it, including political figures such as Winston Churchill and music icons like Mick Jagger.
The castle itself was built in 1446 by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, an Irish chieftain, to protect the MacCarthy dynasty. There had been prior structures built on the same piece of land dating back to before 1200, but nothing of them visibly remains. Today, nearly 400,000 people visit the castle every year, with many visiting just to kiss the Blarney Stone.
What happens when you kiss the stone?
It’s said that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, you will be given the “gift of the gab,” meaning you’ll be able to speak eloquently and be skilled at flattery.
According to the Blarney Castle website, the word “blarney” means beguiling but misleading talk, and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary simply says blarney means skillful flattery, or even nonsense. Hence the name behind the Blarney Stone, influenced by its supposed magical qualities.
Though, I can say with utmost certainty that after kissing the Blarney Stone, I regretfully did not become more eloquent in my speech. I am still a bumbling, mumbling mess. Perhaps the name really means all the legends are silly nonsense, and us making a big deal out of this rock is just a load of blarney. Regardless, the attraction is fun and very unique.
What to expect
If you hope to kiss the Blarney Stone, be prepared to wait in line. I was extremely lucky that I was able to visit the castle in 2021 when the country was just starting to reopen to tourism after the pandemic, so there was virtually no one else at the castle and we had no wait. However, we saw signs along the way to the castle that said “90 minutes from here to Blarney Stone”. So again, be prepared to wait a while on a busy day.
As you tour through the castle on the way to the stone, there are lots of informational signs discussing what each part of the structure was used for to keep you occupied while you wait, including this not-ominous-at-all “murder hole”.
The stone itself is built into the top level of the castle almost 90 feet above the ground. To get there, you need to climb 127 sketchy steps up a spiral stone staircase (how’s that for unintentional alliteration?).
When you finally reach the stone, the method to kiss it may appear intimidating. The stone is slightly below the floor level, and there’s a gap between the floor and the wall the stone is built into, so you have to lay down and bend over backwards to kiss it.
Enjoy this video of me struggling to reach the stone:
If you think that sounds scary, in the past people would just hold your ankles while you hung upside down to kiss it with nothing to catch you below. That ended a hundred or so years ago after someone fell to their unfortunate demise, so now there is a grate below, bars to hold onto, and a person to hold you from your waist the entire time. Though, it’s still quite dizzying, since you’re literally hanging upside down 90 feet above the ground. But I found it worth the thrill. I don’t know if I would wait two hours in line to do it, though.
If you’re worried about germs, since the pandemic the castle has been very adamant about cleaning the stone frequently. When I went they cleaned the stone between each person, but I unfortunately can’t verify if that is currently the practice.
Even if kissing the stone doesn’t appeal to you, the castle is still incredibly interesting to check out, and the surrounding gardens are lovely to peruse.
Read: Visiting Inishmore
Visiting info
Here is all of the logistical information you need to visit the castle, including castle hours, ticket prices, and things to see and do!
Hours
Blarney Castle is open every day except December 24 and 25. Hours of operation vary depending on the season, however it usually opens at 9am and the last admission is at 4pm. See the Blarney Castle website to confirm opening hours for your visit.
You should plan to spend at least 3 hours on the Blarney Castle grounds, keeping in mind it could take up to 2 hours to reach the stone depending on when you visit.
Entry prices (as of 2024)
All prices include kissing the Blarney Stone and access to the gardens.
- Adults: €22
- Seniors and Students: €17
- Kids 6-16: €10
- Families (2 adults, 2 kids): €55
Things to see
Besides the castle, there are 60 acres of land to explore around Blarney. Stroll through the lush Fern Garden or the Carnivorous Courtyard, or peruse the Poison Garden, which is filled with “poisonous” plants. I say “poisonous” in quotes because you wouldn’t be harmed if you consumed most of the plants directly, but many can be used to create harmful substances (i.e. opium and tobacco). Other specimens include nightshade, cannabis, and poison ivy.
Take some time to visit the Rock Close east of the castle, where you can see druidic stone fixtures that were placed over 2,000 years ago. Also be sure to stop by Blarney House, which gives the appearance of a small castle, with turrets built into the stone façade. Built in 1874, the mansion was once home to a previous owner of Blarney Castle, Sir George Conway Colthurst. The residence was meant to be an escape from the touristy grounds surrounding the castle. Today, the home remains in the Colthurst family and is open for tours in the summer months.
Visit this iconic Irish site
Whether or not you’re interested in getting the gift of the gab, visiting Blarney Castle is a must-do experience in Ireland. The structure is historically significant and gives visitors a look back into wealthy medieval life. Enjoy the site that has been entertaining tourists for hundreds of years.
Happy travelling!
Happy Lil’ Traveller 
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