One of the many things that I love about Ireland is that there are a lot of things you can see and explore that are free. However, Blarney Castle & Gardens does have an entrance fee, and it isn't exactly cheap. We paid roughly $80 USD for 3 adult tickets and 1 child ticket, and I believe that was even with Mariah getting a student discount with her school i.d. The $80 was just to explore the castle and gardens, but if you wanted to tour the Blarney House as well, there is a separate fee for that. Since we had a few other stops that we wanted to make that day, we passed on the house tickets and just stuck with the castle and gardens. Was the price worth it, though? Totally!
We arrived on a cold and rainy week day afternoon. The rain had just let up shortly before we arrived, so the castle was not crowded at all.
We immediately went into the castle to do some exploring, then find the line to kiss the Blarney Stone. It was interesting to climb the stairs, then veer off to see the different rooms in the castle. The thing that struck me most was how small the rooms were compared to how huge the castle is.
What do you think about this "Murder Hole?" Doesn't sound very pleasant, does it?
We waited in the Blarney Stone line for around 20 to 30 minutes, but the wait wasn't horrible because you get some pretty spectacular views from the windows and the top of the castle.
There were two men helping guests with kissing the stone. One to guide you as you lay on your back to kiss the stone and the other to photograph your experience. You can totally take your own photos like we did, but it is nice to know that you can get a professional photo if you didn't get a good shot of your own. Of course, there is an extra fee for that, but they don't try to pressure you into making the purchase, they just let you know the option is available for those who do.
For those who worry about germs, they did have a bottle of disinfectant on hand and were cleaning the stone in between groups. Did I get the gift of gab though? Nah. I'm still terrible with words and find myself in many awkward silence situations. It's okay though because it was one of those experiences we'll remember for a lifetime. Afterwards, we made our way back down though the back of the castle so we could spend some time exploring the gardens. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for that update!
Would you kiss the Blarney Stone?
What the what? $80 for a bunch of fugly old stones? Where are Minie and Mickey Mouse, I'd expect them to appear for that amount of monies :) OMG I see a skirt and black legs in the last photo, that could be Minie Mouse!
ReplyDeleteI'd probably get a heart attack climbing all them stairs to reach the tower...
The skirt was playing bagpipes for donations ;) They definitely have it set up for a money making operation, but they aren't pushy looking for $$. I imagine it does take quite a bit of money for upkeep on the castle and grounds, so we didn't complain about the cost. To us, it was worth it.
DeleteLove buildings like this one,so pretty☺
ReplyDeleteMy photos don't do it justice. It's one that you really should see in person!
DeleteThe bacteria that's on it, probably not.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely not something for everyone, but then again, you probably have more bacteria on your cell phone ;)
DeleteThe pictures of inside were so neat! Thanks so much for sharing your pictures with us.
ReplyDeleteThank You, Mary!
DeleteI have family that just moved to Ireland and I'm hoping at some point we can go check this place out. I would love to kiss the Blarney Stone.
ReplyDeleteHow cool that you have family you can visit there! I hope you make your way there soon!
DeleteWhat a fun adventure! My daughter has always wanted to visit Ireland. I'd love to visit the castle and kiss the stone.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a mother/daughter trip soon?
DeleteThis is the pinnacle of my bucket list. I want to go to Ireland so bad. I'm hoping in a few more years to get there. (Rena)
ReplyDeleteYou're going to love it there! It's such a magical country!
DeleteI think it's so cool that these old castles still exist. I love the history you find overseas!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how some of them have been standing for centuries and still look pretty good!
DeleteI have wanted to visit Ireland for many years. These pictures are beautiful- they make me want to go even more!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenn :)
DeleteThis looks like a really amazing experience. I would love to visit Ireland. I always hear so many wonderful things about it.
ReplyDeleteI loved everything about our trip there (though the narrow roads did give me pause, but you learn to adapt to them). It was one of the best trips I've ever had!
DeleteI was reminiscing about castles today too. Guess it's the season. :) A lot of people hate rainy weather when they travel, but I've found like you said here that it does have advantages (especially if you catch that window right after it stops)!! I'd kiss the Blarney Stone. And that is surprising that the rooms are so small when the castle is so big!! I love the pics you have. They are GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosey! I really enjoyed your Scotland post and hope you keep sharing more photos of your travels. You've been to so many amazing places, I hope to be as well traveled as you some day ;)
Deleteahhh! im heading there in sept and i cant wait :) im so excited to be sharing w/ this our fellow friends who are coming along too!
ReplyDeleteI hope you blog about it and share pics! I'd love to hear about all that you saw and did when you return!
DeleteI have always wanted to see the Blarney Stone. I don't know if I would kiss it or not though!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't going to, but just couldn't resist once we got to the top. It was a spur of the moment decision and I'm glad I took it.
DeleteI have always wanted to travel to Ireland and kiss the Blarney Stone! That trip is super high up on my bucket list!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to scratch it off your list soon!
DeleteThis looks like a fun adventure! I won't be kissing the stone though. But I would love to explore!
ReplyDeleteThe kiss definitely isn't for everyone. I wasn't going to do it, but cracked at the last minute and did it #noregrets
DeleteIreland is on the top of our list of must-visit destinations. I am really hoping and praying that we get there someday. Would love to see that up close.
ReplyDelete-Lynndee
Lynndee, I truly hope you do get there. Ireland is one of the nicest countries (the people as well as the places to explore) I think there is!
DeleteI think it is so cool that you can go through and see what the rooms used to be.
ReplyDeleteThose signs were a nice touch letting you know what they were all used for. A lot of castles we've been in, you just kind of have to guess how they would have been used.
DeleteI want to kiss the Blarney stone! I am glad they have people to help and I am glad they disinfect afterwards!
ReplyDeleteYes, I was glad to see that disinfectant up there, otherwise I probably wouldn't have done it.
DeleteThis is a great post! I would love to go sometime. Looks like a fun vacation and I can't believe how small the rooms are.
ReplyDeleteI know! The kitchen was especially shocking to me as I couldn't imagine how they prepared food for an entire castle in such a tiny space.
DeleteIreland is a must visit destination. We are planning to visit it in some years!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! I hope you share your pictures when you get back!
DeleteSure looks like it would make any line seem small. Not sure anything could make murder hole sound pleasant haha I'd probably skip kissing the germy wall though, even if it was disinfected.
ReplyDeleteI don't imagine you'd kiss it for all the money in the world with your germophobe tendencies lol
DeleteIt looks like a wonderful place to see! I don't have the gift of gab, unless I know someone really well, but I'm okay with silence. I never realized that you had to lay down to kiss the Blarney Stone, I don't think I would like that part.
ReplyDeleteLaying down was awkward, but there was a mat that made it a little more comfortable to do. I'm okay with silence as well and really appreciate it to gab anyway :)
DeleteThis remind me of Gruyeres and Montreux in Switzerland! Castles, especially the old ones like this, always make me feel suddenly-romantic :)
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to visit the Swiss castles some day. And the German ones too. They do have a huge romantic appeal about them!
DeleteSuch a beautiful view from where you were in line. I'd love to visit Ireland some time.
ReplyDeleteThe view totally made the trek to the top worth it!
DeleteI love visiting castle.... I saw many of them in Europe and can't wait to go back!
ReplyDeleteI wish we would have spent more time in Dublin, but we only had 1.5 days there. When we go back, I definitely want to see more of the city.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience. The castle, and views you shot are cool! I'd take my own photos of the kissing of the stone as well. Although my boys and Travis didn't take many pictures on vacation. It was mostly all me. Sometimes Travis would ask, "Are you going to take a picture?" I was like, "Ok", but thinking, "Why don't you?" Then he wanted me to hurry up all the time. BUT I was the picture person. Goof ball! I'd be snapping photos left and right of this castle, for sure!
ReplyDeleteI would so kiss the Blarney Stone, Theresa! Thanks for sharing all these wonderful photos!
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