Looking for the Irish gift of the gab? Legend has it that kissing the Blarney Stone will help anyone to be more eloquent and charming.
The Blarney Stone is a must see for many visitors in Ireland, but no one is getting up to kiss a rock in the Irish countryside. Instead, the Blarney Stone hangs from the outside of a tower at Blarney Castle near Cork.
So how do you plant a big one in Ireland’s most famous stone? And why do people think they can give you the gift of talk? Get ready for the big kiss with this comprehensive guide to Blarney Stone.
Story
The history of the Blarney Stone is as legendary as the mystical powers that the rock is supposed to possess. There isn’t a single story about how the stone came to be, but competing myths are part of what makes the famous stone so intriguing.
Various stories claim that the limestone slab is part of the Stone of Destiny and was used in Scotland to choose the next rightful king.
Some say that the Blarney Stone is cut from the same material as Stonehenge (although geologists tend to disagree with it).
Others argue that the stone was a gift from Robert the Bruce to Irish chief Cormac MacCarthy as thanks for his support against the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1324.
The current Blarney Castle website admits that they are not sure where the stone came from, but that they believe a witch revealed the rock’s special powers to the MacCarthys, who once owned the castle.
While it is not possible to prove exactly how the Blarney Stone ended up in the tower of Blarney Castle, we can deduce quite a bit from the scientific evidence. For example, the researchers estimate that the stone is approximately 330 million years old and is composed of Irish limestone from the south of the Emerald Isle. After that? It depends on the legend you create.
What to do at the Blarney Stone
The Blarney Stone is found in Blarney Castle. The fortified house is one of the finest castles in Ireland and dates back to the 15th century. Visiting the castle requires a paid entrance, but once inside it is possible to tour some of the old rooms, as well as walk through the beautiful gardens that lie along the Martin River.
Most people visit the castle in search of the Blarney Stone and wait to put their lips on the famous rock. Kissing the Blarney Stone takes a little courage and a little help. Those who want to earn the gift of gab must lie down and bend their head and torso back through a small opening on the edge of the tower battlements. Another person helps stabilize you as you hold onto two handlebars and lean back to kiss the stone.
Where and when to visit
The Blarney Stone can be found atop the tower of Blarney Castle. The castle is located five miles from Cork, the second largest city in Ireland.
Blarney Castle is open year-round, although it closes at 5pm in the winter verse 7pm at the height of summer when the afternoon light lasts longer. The castle is closed on December 24 and 25, but is open on all other holidays with slightly limited hours.
The Blarney Stone is outside, so it can be difficult to climb the stairs to the top of the tower where it is located if the weather is especially bad. The normal, rainy Irish weather might dampen things a bit, but it won’t affect your chance to visit the stone.
Tickets can be purchased on the spot when you arrive, but there is a small discount for reserving in advance online.
How to get to the Blarney Stone from Dublin
If the Blarney stone is a must on your trip to Ireland, it is best to travel there from Cork.
However, it is also possible to get to Blarney Castle from Dublin. Blarney Stone is around a three hour drive from the Irish capital, which means six hours round trip (or longer with traffic) if you plan to return to Dublin on the same day. Take the N8 South towards Cork and then follow the signs to Blarney.
Given the distance from Dublin, it is difficult but not impossible to do so using public transport. The best option is to book a train from Dublin (Hueston Station) to Cork (Kent Train Station), which takes around two and a half hours. The easiest way to get to the castle is by taxi from Cork.
There are also several Dublin-based companies that offer day trips and take groups to and from Blarney Stone on a private bus.
What else to do nearby
Not to be confused with Blarney Castle, Blarney House is a stately mansion located about 200 yards away. The house can be visited during the summer and is an excellent example of a late 18th century Scottish baroness mansion.
Irish souvenir hunters can find a great selection of local gifts at Blarney Woolen Mills, a shop built in a historic tweed factory.
