Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in County Cork, Ireland, famous worldwide for the Blarney Stone, which according to legend bestows the gift of eloquence upon all who kiss it. Standing on a rocky outcrop above the River Martin, the castle’s 25-metre tower is one of Ireland’s finest surviving medieval fortifications and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to the village of Blarney.

History

The first castle on this site was built around 1210, though the current structure dates primarily from around 1446 when it was constructed by Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, Lord of Musketry. The MacCarthy family was known for its diplomatic evasiveness, and Queen Elizabeth I reportedly coined the term “blarney” after growing frustrated with the castle’s lord endlessly postponing negotiations without actually refusing. The castle passed through various hands after the Williamite Wars and is now maintained as a heritage site by the Colthurst family.

What to See

The tower keep offers panoramic views of the surrounding Blarney estate. Kissing the Blarney Stone requires leaning backwards over a significant drop at the top of the tower. The castle grounds include Blarney House, a Scottish baronial mansion, Rock Close with its ancient yew trees and druidic folklore, the Witch’s Cave, and extensive woodland gardens planted with rare species. The Victorian walled garden is particularly impressive in summer.

Getting There

Blarney is located approximately 8 kilometres northwest of Cork city. Regular bus services operate from Cork Bus Station throughout the day. By car the journey takes about 20 minutes from Cork city centre. Cork Airport is the nearest international gateway, roughly 15 kilometres from the castle.

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