Great way to spend an afternoon. The queue up to kiss the Blarney stone can take up to an hour, and the stone spiral staircase is pretty tight and not for the claustrophobic. The gardens are beautiful and so well maintained. Wasn't aware there could be a connection between the Blarney stone and the Stone of Scone in Scotland (the Coronation stone).

Great ancient castle with big walking grounds around! The self guided tour is available and really educational. There are some very narrow steps on the top of the castle so make sure to wear comfortable shoes to be able to climb up. Not really for people with walking disabilities as it is tricky to climb up on very steep and narrow steps.

Great place for a day out. The grounds has a nice castle with some interesting rooms and information. A legendary kissing stone at the top of the castle. A beautiful mansion and various types of gardens beautifully landscaped and a nice lake you can walk around. The place also has a nice lunch place located in the old stables. We visited at the end of the holiday period so no long waits, I can image that in the holiday period it can get very busy with extensive waiting times. Buying tickets in advance would then most likely be better.there is limited amount of parking space on the premises.

Amazing experience. Had been before, and kissed the stone. Now I have mobility issues, so it was a completely different experience. There are many nice walking trails and points of interest that are all wheelchair accessible. Just be aware the castle stairs are very difficult. I couldn't go up to see the blarney stone, but I still had an amazing time. You can actually see the people kiss the stone from underneath, so I still felt a part of the experience. They also offer pictures of you kissing the stone. The different gardens were beautiful. I didn't go to the gift shop or cafe.

Exploring the castle was so much fun, I wasn't expecting having access to go up and down on the stairs but we did! The gardens and grounds are also beautiful with so much to see and explore. We went there in the afternoon there was barely anyone there or a line to kiss the stone (if that's your thing) . The only thing I would have wished is for the store to be open a while longer, employees were eager to close up shop.

Absolutely stunning grounds! The gardens are spectacular and the castle so well maintained. The line to the stone was short for us and the gentlemen assisting with kissing the stone, sanitizing, and taking photos were so friendly and helpful! Highly recommend!!!!

This was a pleasant day trip. There was a bit of a queue so early in the morning so I advise getting there early. We enjoyed the information about the castle’s origins and exploring the gardens. We decided to take a long walk/run around the lake. The poisonous garden was also interesting. Impressive number of staff doing a good job of upkeeping the place.

If you can, spend more time than anticipated. The gardens, the castle and the surrounding area deserves at least a half day if not more. It is a well taken care of castle and the gardens are beautiful! kissing the stone was … a little difficult to do to be honest. It’s further from the edge than it looks and you definitely need to be in shape to get on and off the castle ledge. It’s is however really great to see and if you can, try to kiss the stone.

The castle itself is interesting but if the waiting time is over 30 minutes to go up, I wouldn't do it again, not much of a view. The main attraction for me were the gardens. Nice lake and beautiful plants. Would like to visit again in spring.

If it weren't for my mom wanting to kiss the Blarney Stone, I would have missed out on visiting this popular tourist destination. I now see why it's so popular. The grounds are amazing with lovely gardens and walking trails. You can easily spend several hours here. While I didn't kiss the stone, my mother did. The gentlemen assisting those kissing the stone were most helpful. We visited in mid-May during the week around 10:30am. There was little to no wait. After exploring, I highly recommend the Coach House Cafe, which is on the grounds. The tomato basil soup and toastie were delicious. Be aware of the birds. They will steal your food in a heartbeat.

This is one of the must do places when you visit Ireland. I did not like the 2.5 hour wait to get to the Blarney Stone, so I was not able to kiss it, but I really enjoyed my time. The grounds are massive. Lots of green gardens and amazing gardens. There is lots to do and you can spend hours here and still not see everything.

What can I say about Blarney Castle that hasn't already been mentioned...It was a cold wet day, and I had a few hours left with my good friends from Texas, what better way than to bring them to Blarney. As a Cork man, Is only been there once before so it was really great to see and share the experience with my good friend. We walked all through the gardens and beautiful scenery and also climbed and kissed the Blarney stone. My friend wouldn't stop talking after so it definitely worked. We picked up some warm coffee and hot chocolate so that made the walk so much nicer. Amazing views from the top of the castle as well. One of they top 3 places to visit if you have any visitors to Cork.

We visited on Wednesday. The garden was quiet and not crowded, and we enjoyed a picnic with a packed lunch. The garden is very large and has a variety of plants. And it was well cared for. I waited for an hour to go up the castle, but that time was also fun. The view from above the castle was really good. It's really nice to visit on a sunny day👍

Come for the stone, stay for the gardens! No but seriously, the gardens are the main attraction. You could easily spend half a day exploring them. One of the most impressive botanical gardens we’ve ever visited.

Absolute privilege to have visited this most beautiful and special landmark in Blarney. The Botanical gardens are in pristine condition and makes you feel so close to nature. The castle and its surroundings are epic. The whole occasion leading up to the kissing of the Blarney Stone is very meaningful indeed. We cannot recommend it enough for a visit to this wonderful landmark. Very special indeed.

Excellent place to visit! I could have spent at least the whole day there. There was a lot more than just the castle. The line to kiss the Blarney stone was 1.5 hours long. We didn't even get inside the tower. Still worth it. The heavily wooded stuff near the Witch's stuff was my favorite part.

We went, mostly wanting to kiss the stone but expecting to have a wander around for about an hour. We stayed until closing time. It was AMAZING! What a gorgeous selection of plants and sculptures. I will definitely visit again, it's so worth the entry fee. You could just get lost in the place.

A truly enchanting location. We were blown away by the sheer beauty and impressive nature of the grounds. The castle itself was so awesome to walk through and explore. The views were gorgeous and there was also very interesting historical information inside. We went on a Friday around 2 and there was nobody there it was perfect! My only regret is not getting there sooner as the castle closes at 5:30. We were able to get almost everything in but we needed about 1 more hour to truly explore the gardens to the full. The gardens were spectacular in their beauty. I especially liked the fern garden but be careful to not accidentally brush a poisonous plant! I hear the lines can get pretty long to get into the castle so maybe avoid going on the weekend if you can.

Really nice gardens and castle. It's a big castle with lots of rooms to explore on the way up to the blarney stone. We queued for about an hour on the Saturday. The gardens grounds itself are massive and great for a day out. Could definitely spend the whole day there. Plenty of toilets and cafés. There's ice cream and meals available.

I had no idea it was a massive complex with tons of activities and sights to see. Completely amazing!

One of the most beautiful and mystical castles and gardens in Ireland. Not far from Cork City, its a stunning and interesting way to spend an afternoon. Allow yourself three or four hours at least if you want to enjoy it without having to rush around. The gardens have the most diverse and different areas with stunning plants, natural features and beautiful landscapes. The lovely Blarney house lies in the centre and the amazing Blarney castle is nearer the front entrance. We spent a few hours in the gardens before visiting the castle. Kiss the stone, then finish up by relaxing with coffee and ice cream in the peaceful courtyard cafe. A must do if you are visiting Cork. You won't regret it.

Host for stone of blarney - everyone visiting this place is mostly coming for the stone. Castle itself has nothing to see except empty rooms which once were part of the castle. Inside castle is empty - no floor or any other sign of interior - even roof is missing. If your here definitely take look in top of it around gardens which makes this place worth visiting.

If you're on the fence of visiting this beautiful castle... do it! This is a gorgeous grounds filled with some of the most beautiful landscape. The castle itself is interesting to go through and see the history of it. The grounds are breath taking and easily can take over 4 hours to look through. My party and I spent over 5 hours and still didn't finish looking at it all. Make sure you give yourself adequate time but it is so worth it.

A refreshing day trip. An informative and interesting place to gain few insights on the history of the place. The blarney stone myth and a fun activity of kissing it. The stories on the kings and their place of habitat makes this place very interesting. Apart from all the myths and magic, it’s a great place to walk amongst the lush of green and beautiful scenery. Requires almost 3-5 hours to cover the whole property.

Admiring the gardens/jungle was my favorite part of the Blarney Castle! We arrived around 11:30 AM on a Wednesday waited in line for about 10-15 minutes to kiss the Blarney Stone - was much steeper/scarier than I anticipated, so I didn't quite reach all the way down, haha. We've seen quite a few castles throughout Europe, so while it was interesting and pretty, that part wasn't the most exciting. We walked through the gardens and jungle for about 2 hours... seriously incredible for anyone who enjoys nature, plants, and jungle atmosphere.

AMAZING. So much land to cover so you can spend the whole day walking around at your own pace. I recommend getting there first thing in the morning and do the walk through the castle and kiss the stone to avoid waiting in long lines that start to appear within the hour of opening. The poison gardens were sooooo cool. All of it was a must see.

Best castle in Ireland!! €20 may seem steep but it was definitely worth it! We went at 9:45am and walked straight up and kissed the stone with no waiting! Then explored the rest of the grounds, caves and gardens. We spent 2 hours there and didn’t see it all, could of spent another 2 hours but we’re in a time schedule

We loved every min. We got there earlier in the morning and we didn't have to wait at all to kiss the stone. We then walked the poison garden and over to the Blarney house! Don't miss that part it's beautiful.

We got there at 10 AM and did not wait at all to kiss the stone. The grounds are beautiful. Make sure to take time to visit them as well. Also nice to see the blarney house. The trees on the property are so very old and beautiful. Truly enjoyed our day.

SUCH a great stop on our trip. I'd recommend dedicating at least 3 hours here, more if it's peak season. We had such a great time exploring the castle but exploring the grounds turned out to be such a pleasant surprise. It was like walking through a garden in a fairytale

The castle was beautiful, although we didn't have the opportunity to go inside due to the long line. The opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone requires a one-way trip up through the castle. Our tour didn't provide us enough time. The gardens are lush and beautiful. There is so much to see surrounding the castle, you could easily spend a day exploring it all.

Cool castle, the surrounding areas were also worth a look. Well taken care of for ruins, if that makes sense. Stairs up might be intense for people with difficulty walking but worth it. If you're afraid of heights stay away from the sides when you get to the tops. 3 bathrooms (holes to poop out) are on tour but probably and hopefully not used in awhile. Enjoyed it! The trees and fern garden are also worth a look. Be very careful on the stairs in the fern garden 50% of my group fell on their butts and they were sober. Asian garden section was also very pretty. 10/10 worth it. Get there early or you are boned.

Despite the poor weather our visit was great. Fascinating castle and lots of information about the history. The grounds and gardens are beautiful with two rivers crossing . The views from the ramparts are stunning and if you are brave enough to kiss the stone you can have a certificate to prove it. It's seriously scary so be warned!!

The medieval Blarney Castle is a site to behold, the Blarney Gardens are stunningly lush and beautiful. The variety of plants and trees along the well layed out pathways makes for a lovely walk. The admission fees are reasonably priced. What a great way to see such historical site! We did not kiss the Blarney Stone, quite honestly that seems a bit, well quite a bit unhygienic and I certainly don't need anymore gift of gab/eloquence (ha ha ha). Would love to come back and continue our exploration of the beautiful gardens. A definite must see when in Ireland.

I enjoyed seeing the castle and walking the grounds and gardens. It a beautiful and a very nice place to walk around. If you want to kiss the Blarney Stone, I would advise going early right when it opens. We arrived a little bit after it had opened and the line to kiss the Blarney Stone was already 90 minutes. There's a nice shopping area just outside the grounds to pick-up gifts and souvenirs.

What a lovely experience! We walked the grounds over 2 1/2 hours, enjoyed. I enjoyed the castle and went to the top to kiss the stone! The castle is chalk full little stops, rooms and such. The Poison Garden was a cool look!

There is so much to see here! Not only can you stand in line to “kiss the Blarney Stone” but you will see some fantastic views! The gardens are so beautiful-there are so many paths to walk through the gardens AND if you’re lucky 🍀 enough you’ll get to listen to some authentic bagpipe playing-and the gift shop is huge! There is a pub and sit down restaurant-cafe (in cafeteria style) too. Plan a good 2-4 hours visit.

Blarney Castle and Gardens are of the best that Ireland has to offer. The stunning beauty of the manicured parklike gardens and beds is breathtaking. The walks are varied and something for everyone there. Speckled with animals and birds and the majestic swans fills the creative heart. Always a must to visit.

If you're going on a tour around Ireland, you need to stop by and visit the Blarney Castle. It's a beautiful experience. You can easily spend the entire day here, but my recommendation is to go early so there's not as long of a line to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, then spend the rest of your time exploring the gardens. There are places to eat and toilets within the gardens.

It was the second time I visited Blarney. It’s really a beautiful place. The story behind is incredibly impressive. The gardens are really beautiful and well kept. I really enjoyed walking around the castle and visiting the gardens. There’s a lot to see!!!

This was a wonderful place to visit! We had a great time climbing up Blarney Castle and we visited many other attractions in this HUGE park. There is more here to visit than Blarney Castle to plan a few hours if you intend to stop by. They have plenty of gift shops and there are a few places to get food. The only negative is the person selling the pictures at the gift shop located in Blarney Castle itself was rude and unprofessional.

Beautiful castle and gardens in Co Cork. There was so much to see here. Venture to the top to kiss the Blarney stone and receive "the gift of eloquence" or "the gift of the gab" as the locals would say! There are 60 acre's of grounds to explore so its a perfect place to pack a picnic and let the little one's enjoy the outdoor's. The gardens are beautiful and so well kept. From lake views, unique avenues to a selection of diverse gardens, fairy walks and even friendly local donkies. There is a charming cafe on sight, once stable grounds. You can also check out some old farm machinery and car's here. Lovely gift shops around the entrance to the grounds also. You'll be sure not to get bored here.

Beautiful gardens, simple castle. This castle is very old and historical, but it is also very small and simple. I was climbing up to the top with easy and taking some sunny and green pictures of the surrounding view! I know that the castle is very famous. It looked very beautiful with the huge, green garden around it, so I spent more time in the garden and enjoying the breathtaking view.

Have always heard about the Blarney Castle, so it was a must stop on our recent tour thru Ireland, and it was definitely one of our highlights. The grounds were beautiful, with all the spring flowers in bloom, the castle was clean, the people friendly, and the 'trip to the top' was well worth the many steep steps!

This place was amazing! Our only regret was that we only had 2 hours to spend here. You could EASILY spend the entire day here exploring and taking photos. Simply beautiful! Definitely a must for any trip to Ireland, even if you only have a couple of hours to spare like we did.

Well worth a visit! The castle itself is a ruin with information panels about each room and the castle's history throughout. Based on the signs, the queues to kiss the stone must get insane in the high season. The gardens are also spectacular and well maintained with walking paths throughout. Although a bit expensive, the size of the site and it's quality make it worth the price.

Beautiful gardens and castle. It was amazing walking through the gardens, so peaceful and quite with such a variation of views ( from the fern forest to the lake to the pinetum). The Castle itself and the surrounding history are very interesting and the views are spectacular from the castle. Perfect place to go yourself, with your significant other or family. I would definitely recommend this place.

Great spacious property for walks with different paths around a lake, through woods or following the river. Then obviously there's the castle to summit which is better at quiet times when there's no long ques.

Spectacular - cannot begin to explain the wonder and awe of this place. From the castle and its beautiful surrounding gardens to being able to kiss the blarney stone. Definitely one for the bucket list.

Such a beautiful property and very well oiled as far as organizing the groups to go up and kiss the stone. Kissing the stone was not as frightening as I thought it would be. The two people up there that help you down to kiss it were very sweet. Everyone on property was very knowledgeable and friendly to boot! Fantastic gift shops! Had a fantastic time and cannot get over just how beautiful the area is!

This place was stunning. There is SO much more to Blarney Castle than the stone. You can easily spend an entire day here exploring the grounds. The druid caves are mystical, the gardens are gorgeous, the castle itself is huge and wild. I wasn't going to go to Blarney, because I thought the stone was a very touristy thing to do. But I went, and I am 1000% glad that I did.

Beautiful place. The whole place is very well maintained. Initially we thought 18 Euros per adult is too high (for kids upto 8 is free), but after visiting and seeing what this place offers, I am able to justify it to myself!. Apart from the Castle, which is a must visit and climb too (it does gets very narrow at the top, but perfectly doable and the views are amazing!), the garden and the walk around I would say is more amazing than the castle itself. Beautiful flowers and very well maintained fields so very enticing and calming. Paradise for bird watchers/photographers. And the best of all was the Rock Close. A truly magical part.. you don't want to miss this!!.. a complete family fun day!!..

Blarney Castle and Gardens is a great place to visit on your Irish tour. The castle itself is well maintained (and if you make it to the top to kiss the stone, you'll be treated with great views of the grounds as well). If you do plan to make it to the top of the castle, definitely get there as early as you can - it can get quite crowded later and use up a lot of your time. The gardens and paths are very well maintained - and you could spend hours strolling through them all. It's a great place to spend the day - if you have the time - and a very good addition to your tour.

Amazing castle with a magical stone, with a legend about a witch. Wonderful garden and garden with poisonous plant. Jungle, a magical circle of stones, tomb stone and much more. Sometimes there are a lot of people, it may be necessary to wait until you climb to the top of the castle. Plan to spend at least some 3-4 hours here.

Amazing place. So much to do - traipse up the castle to kiss the Blarney Stone, walk through the poison and carnivorous gardens, hike to the wishing Stairs and the witch's stone, meander to the 7 Sisters. It is wonderful for all ages! Well worth the money spent. The grounds are just stunning!

Amazing adventure, we spent at least 3 hours walking through the forest and gardens and we still haven't covered half of it. We'll definitely come back prepared to face everything that the Balrney Castle has to offer!!!

This is a beautiful castle to tour, and the gardens are a delightful walk. Try to plan your visit for a day it is NOT raining, otherwise, you will be miserable doing so. Take your time in the castle if you can, you can stop to visit certain rooms on the way up to The Stone, and on the way down from The Stone. There are many photo opportunities throughout the walk to the castle, inside the castle, and upon exit. It's worth the $20 ticket to do this exhibit. The castle is breath taking upon entry when you realize just how ancient it truly is. Beware, you should wear hiking boots and be ready for a steep climb up to the top (where the stone is located). The climb gets TIGHT and STEEP, and can be scary for people with height fears or claustrophobic tendencies. The gardens are good for regular walking shoes during clear weather, and hiking boots during raining weather. The wind whips up a lot around the castle, a jacket is best for cooler or rainy days.

A great day out. Plenty to see and do. We were fortunate that in June we did not wait long to kiss the stone. Sadly the weather was not great but did not dampen our spirits. Food and cake in the cafes was good. Staff were friendly and helpful. Toilets were clean and the car park charges were reasonable. Definitely worth a return visit.

What a brilliant surprise. I went for the Blarney Stone but was blown away by the castle and the gardens. We spent a whole day here and I am not sure we saw it all. The castle itself is a ruin but sage to climb to the top. If you have difficulty walking you should pass this up. I am terrified of heights and was still okay. There is always something to hold onto and very few times where you can look straight down and be scared. I was impressed with the signage throughout so even while waiting in line to get to the top you are learning. The gardens were breathtaking. From the poison garden which was beautiful and educational to the Seven Sisters to the waterfall and the stump garden everything was prestige. I can’t recommend Blarney Castle enough.