Blarney Castle & Gardens: Kiss Eloquence into Your Life

Blarney Castle, a partially ruined medieval structure in County Cork, is one of Ireland's most iconic and visited landmarks. Originally built as a timber structure in the 10th century, it was replaced by a stone castle around 1210, with the current keep constructed in 1446 by Dermot MacCarthy, King of Munster. The castle remained the McCarthy family's stronghold until the 17th century. The main attraction is the Blarney Stone, also known as the Stone of Eloquence. Legend claims that kissing the stone bestows the kisser with the 'gift of the gab,' or great eloquence. To kiss it, visitors must climb to the castle's battlements and lean backward, holding onto iron railings. Various origin stories surround the stone, including tales of it being half of Scotland's Stone of Scone or a stone used by Jacob. Surrounding the castle are 60 acres of gardens, offering a variety of landscapes to explore. These include the prehistoric Fern Garden, the Poison Garden with its collection of toxic plants, the Rock Close with ancient yew trees, and the Wishing Steps. Visitors can also stroll along the lake, riverside, and woodlands, or explore the arboretums. The Poison Garden features labeled plants like wolfsbane and nightshade, while the Rock Close showcases druidic stones and a witch's kitchen.