A medieval castle, more than ten garden areas, and paths along the river and lake give Blarney a distinctive character for a stay combining culture and nature. Blarney Castle is in the village of Blarney, 8 km northwest of Cork city. Its building history, landscaped planting areas, and walks each offer a different focus and provide different starting points for planning your trip.
The Castle, Its History and Traditions
The Blarney Castle standing today is the third and final castle on this site. It was built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster. The unusually large tower house has at least two towers; the second was added in the 16th century. The castle thus combines its 15th-century building history with a later addition.
Visitors can kiss the famous Blarney Stone. According to folklore, the kiss is said to bestow the gift of eloquence. Rock Close is also associated with traditions and is considered the site of an ancient druid settlement. The Seven Sisters are a collection of ancient standing stones in the Blarney Gardens.
Blarney House is a Scottish baronial-style mansion designed by John Lanyon. It is open for guided tours during the summer months. If you would like to plan a tour, check the current dates before your visit.
Garden Areas and Special Plants
Blarney Castle is set in more than 60 acres of parkland with rare and unusual plants and trees. The Blarney Gardens include more than ten different areas. The Great Trees area is home to some of the largest specimens of their kind in Ireland.
Vietnamese Woodland is an ex-situ conservation project to preserve plant species from northern Vietnam. The Poison Garden was created to inform visitors about poisonous plants in the wild and in gardens. The garden themes therefore range from preserving specific plant species to providing information about poisonous plants.
Walks Along the River and Around the Lakes
The Riverside Walk follows the River Martin from the entrance to the far end of the estate. Along the way, there is a chance to spot otters and kingfishers. The Woodland Walk leads to a circular route around 21-acre Blarney Lake. The Lake Walk around a 22-acre lake takes about 45 minutes and offers the opportunity to observe waterbirds and the resident swans.
The surroundings are also worth taking in on the Woodland Walk: depending on the season, you may be able to hear red squirrels rustling and spot jays in the woods. Trail conditions can change; check the latest situation before your visit if it is important for your plans.
A Culinary Highlight
The Stable Yard Café serves loganberry ice cream made with fruit harvested on the estate. The menu may change. If you would like to try this flavor, check before your visit whether it will be available during your trip.
You can easily choose a focus for your visit to Blarney based on your interests: the castle and tower house showcase its building history, the different garden areas feature plants and conservation, and the walks follow the river and lake. This lets you consider in advance which of these aspects you would particularly like to include in your stay.
Discover more destinations: Ardfield, Shanagarry, Glanworth, Goleen, Castletown-Bearhaven, Minane Bridge, Dromkeen, Dunmanway
For the broader travel overview: Cork.
