Blarney Stone
Blarney Stone
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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See what travellers are saying
- D PWellington, New Zealand7,954 contributionsA bit of fun to say you’ve done itIf you don’t like heights then save yourself by not queuing to go up and kiss it. You have to lie on your back and bdangle over the edge I order to reach it. There are bars to stop you slipping through and people to help you but you’re up high and looking down!! It’s a bit of fun if nothing else and as there were no more than 5 people in front of us we didn’t have long to wait. Getting up the narrow stone spiral staircase was the hardest part if you’re broad like my husband!!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 2, 2023
- justssalterMemphis, Tennessee13 contributionsWorth the myth and hypePlan a half day here! I don’t know what I was thinking. With all my trip research, for some reason I thought the “Blarney Stone” was in the middle of some field. At the last minute, we took a detour here on our way back from Killarney to Dublin. We didn’t have much time and once I realized how much there was to see and do on premises, I was disappointed I hadn’t planned better. Be comfortable with tight, high, windy spaces if you want to kiss the stone. There’s still plenty to enjoy here if that’s not your cup of tea.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten March 1, 2024
- Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,532 contributionsGet the gift of the Blarney by kissing this stoneThe Blarney Stone can be found in the Blarney Castle, near the town of Blarney. When you visit Blarney Castle, you must kiss the Blarney Castle. Kissing the Blarney is a truffle challenging but it is said to give you "the gift of Blarney." Visitors are certainly able to tell some stories and exchange gossip. They liked my partner, who is a lightweight but were somewhat dubious about me, as I am heavier.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten June 13, 2024
- Elizabeth MGlasgow, United Kingdom8 contributionsFamily fun bucket list thing to see and doSpent most of the day kids loved the forest and stories of mythic creatures that may have lived there. Plenty of eating areas so fantastic for a picnic. Castle is in blarney a village like place in Cork 4 hours away from Dublin by bus great if you have your own car to get you there. Guided tours are avail but kids and I had great fun exploring on our own. The Blarney Stone is in the castle. We climbed up so I could kiss it. Not recommended for anyone unfit narrow stairs spiralling most of the way Fantastic view from the top. I would not have missed it for the world including in the price of the park entrance feeVisited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten August 10, 2024
- Rachel FasuloThomaston, Connecticut132 contributionsKiss at Your Own Risk!The Blarney Stone castle grounds were so much fun to explore. They have ice cream and so many things to tour! We started with the castle, followed by the "poison garden", and then the family home. The history of all of it was so interesting to learn and we had SO much fun! Oh, and everyone says not to kiss the stone because the locals pee on it- up to you whether you do it or not! LOLVisited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten August 18, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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stanDublin
Dublin, Ireland174 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
The Blarney Stone is situated at the top of the castle. You have to climb narrow winding stone stairs to reach it. Not for anyone with mobility issues. The stone is reached by lying backwards through a hole. Again not for anyone with a bad back. If you are fit and healthy and it means that much to you then knock yourself out
Written September 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sundncr
Washington DC, DC1,100 contributions
Nov 2022
From my readings of tourist books, it seems that kissing the Blarney stone is one of the top tourist attractions in Ireland. I made a train trip all the way from Dublin for this. You can actually go on a day tour or a round trip train trip combined with a bus trip from Cork to Blarney. Taxis are hard to find on the return from the town of Blarney.
The Blarney stone is located on the roof of the castle and you will have a long climb up. There are plenty of stops along the way as you can visit other castle rooms on the way to the top. The stairs near the top are winding and could be slippery. You need good shoes with traction.
There was no line when I visited on a week day. There is person at the location of the stone to assist you in kissing the stone. Another person takes you picture to purchase at the gift shop below. The stone is not cleaned after every kiss. So, if you are scared of sanitation, you may want to skip the kiss.
It was something to do in Ireland and there was nothing remarkable about the stone as it is a smooth flat slab due all the kissing. You can see the stone from the castle grounds too, if you want to skip the climb.
The price of admission seemed steep. But, there are discounts for students.
The Blarney stone is located on the roof of the castle and you will have a long climb up. There are plenty of stops along the way as you can visit other castle rooms on the way to the top. The stairs near the top are winding and could be slippery. You need good shoes with traction.
There was no line when I visited on a week day. There is person at the location of the stone to assist you in kissing the stone. Another person takes you picture to purchase at the gift shop below. The stone is not cleaned after every kiss. So, if you are scared of sanitation, you may want to skip the kiss.
It was something to do in Ireland and there was nothing remarkable about the stone as it is a smooth flat slab due all the kissing. You can see the stone from the castle grounds too, if you want to skip the climb.
The price of admission seemed steep. But, there are discounts for students.
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melbourne_sophie81
Anglesey, UK43 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Unfortunately I had done little research so didn’t know what I was getting myself in for. Which in itself is probably a blessing.
The stairs going up are extremely tight and claustrophobic. Luckily I was able to wait in the openings until the next opening became available but I can imagine in the summer this wouldn’t be possible.
Once you have entered into the staircase there is no way out and you have to go to the top.
Kissing the stone looks extremely dangerous as you have to lie on your back, put your bottom to the edge of the wall. Arch your bag and then pull up on 2 metal bars to kiss the stone. There are men to help and take a €10 photo but they are abrupt and very pushy.
I wish someone had told us before we ascended it wouldn’t be possible as we had young babies in carriers and we would have saved ourselves the claustrophobic environment.
Grounds etc are stunning. But the castle itself is barely a castle. We’ve seen much more grand castles throughout Ireland.
The stairs going up are extremely tight and claustrophobic. Luckily I was able to wait in the openings until the next opening became available but I can imagine in the summer this wouldn’t be possible.
Once you have entered into the staircase there is no way out and you have to go to the top.
Kissing the stone looks extremely dangerous as you have to lie on your back, put your bottom to the edge of the wall. Arch your bag and then pull up on 2 metal bars to kiss the stone. There are men to help and take a €10 photo but they are abrupt and very pushy.
I wish someone had told us before we ascended it wouldn’t be possible as we had young babies in carriers and we would have saved ourselves the claustrophobic environment.
Grounds etc are stunning. But the castle itself is barely a castle. We’ve seen much more grand castles throughout Ireland.
Written April 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GRZ
Chicago, IL11,673 contributions
Jun 2023
This is the type of castle I had in mind when I was planning our Ireland trip :) OLD and RUSTIC! You can breathe the history while going through the grounds!
We arrived on a rainy day so there weren't as many people but as the weather picked up and the day moved on we saw more and more people so we were glad and happy we arrived early from our hotel next door as despite not "kissing the stone" we did the walk up to the top floor and those little narrow staircases are extremely small and it would not be fun standing in the line in them (almost claustrophobic).
TIP: Do not the same mistake we made... plan to spend here more time as other than the castle there is plenty of beautiful grounds to explore!
We arrived on a rainy day so there weren't as many people but as the weather picked up and the day moved on we saw more and more people so we were glad and happy we arrived early from our hotel next door as despite not "kissing the stone" we did the walk up to the top floor and those little narrow staircases are extremely small and it would not be fun standing in the line in them (almost claustrophobic).
TIP: Do not the same mistake we made... plan to spend here more time as other than the castle there is plenty of beautiful grounds to explore!
Written August 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
billyj44
New Britain, CT16 contributions
Jul 2022
A great place to visit for its history and its beautiful grounds. The climb to the top is worth it, the views of the countryside were amazing. I gained the gift of elequence as well kissing the stone(although wiping it down with a disinfecting cloth after each person takes something away) The gardens are magnificent, even the poison garden. There was a bagpiper playing in front of the castle made the day even better.
Written August 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jj4580
United States66 contributions
Mar 2023
The Blarney stone is unsafe and unsanitary. I only tried it because we had literally no line. The guys helping could not have been less concerned or engaged. To be fair, they were standing in a cold rain waiting for the handful of tourists that were there. Anyway, I hated it. Skip it and walk around the Blarney castle grounds which are lovely.
Written April 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott B
Wantagh, NY697 contributions
Aug 2022
Even being scared of heights, both my partner and myself were able to work up the courage to do this. An 86 year old woman in front of us did it too, so you can get over being 8 stories above the ground upside down. The line moved remarkably quick, and sanitation was good.
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve031001
Rotherham, UK82 contributions
Jun 2022
Although we had to queue on the stairs and steps this gave us the opportunity to enjoy some magnificent views as we ascended. We kissed the Blarney Stone, where everyone had the opportunity to take photos of their friends and family.
At the exit of the castle there is opportunity to purchase souvenirs, and individuals' photos kissing the Stone, both digital and physical.
At the exit of the castle there is opportunity to purchase souvenirs, and individuals' photos kissing the Stone, both digital and physical.
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth M
Glasgow, UK8 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Spent most of the day kids loved the forest and stories of mythic creatures that may have lived there. Plenty of eating areas so fantastic for a picnic. Castle is in blarney a village like place in Cork 4 hours away from Dublin by bus great if you have your own car to get you there. Guided tours are avail but kids and I had great fun exploring on our own. The Blarney Stone is in the castle. We climbed up so I could kiss it. Not recommended for anyone unfit narrow stairs spiralling most of the way Fantastic view from the top. I would not have missed it for the world including in the price of the park entrance fee
Written August 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nuge52
Pell Lake, WI26 contributions
Jul 2022
If you can handle the heights you have to kiss the stone. I would suggest looking it up and getting your mind wrapped around it before you go. We felt safe and knew nothing was going to happen but were very nervous. We were glad we did it. Get there early to beat the tour buses! We enjoyed this part of our trip!
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How does a person wearing glasses kiss the stone? I mean with all that neck extension the glasses may fall off.
Written January 24, 2020
Mine were fine but you might want to take them off.You dont need to be an athlete but need to be limber.There is a guy there to guide you.My suggestion is get there first thing.We went early and waited 5-10 min,as we were leaving the castle the line was well over an hour.Go to my page and see photos I just posted a pic of me kissing it//Have fun
Written January 31, 2020
Hello, you mentioned you have been to Ireland multiple times. We are planning on taking a train from Dublin to Cork. Is the Blarney stone / castle within walking distance from the train station. Thanks
Written February 5, 2019
Blarney C
Cork, Ireland
Hi, no we are about a 20 minute drive from Cork train station. You can get a taxi or take the local bus which is no.215.
Written February 22, 2019
Hi there, I am heading to Ireland in December and curious if you need to purchase tickets in advance for the stone access/ castle and gardens. I will have a car, so I will not be in a bus tour. Thanks in advance for your help.
Alicia
Written November 12, 2018
Blarney C
Cork, Ireland
Hi, you can purchase your ticket in advance on our website at a cheaper rate or buy on arrival. December is a very quiet month and our opening times are 9am - 4pm.
Written November 20, 2018
Hi, I am planning to visit and as a family all of us wanted to kiss the Blarney Stone, please could someone advise if children ( my youngest is 7 years old) are allowed to kiss the Blarney Stone.
Thanks
Written June 26, 2017
Blarney C
Cork, Ireland
Hi, the age limit is 8 but if the staff feel a child under 8 is confident and happy to do it then its no problem.
Written June 29, 2017
It depends, we went early in the morning and we were behind a couple tour bus groups. We waited in line about an hour. I heard some one say that late afternoon was good because that's when all the buses are gone. Still the hour went pretty quick as the line runs through the castle.
Written September 25, 2016
What if for whatever reason you don't want to kiss the stone but want to visit the castle? Can one view the castle and avoid the long line to kiss the stone? My mother is not fit enough to climb all those stairs.
Written July 22, 2016
You can view the castle from the grounds, but I am fairly sure the only way to view the interior is to stand in line to kiss the stone.
Written July 23, 2016
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