Blarney Castle, located in County Cork, Ireland, is home to the famous Blarney Stone, which is said to grant the gift of eloquence to those who kiss it. It can be reached only by leaning over the side of the castle.http://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/stone The current structure was built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster, and incorporated the Blarney Stone into its battlements. http://www.blarneycastle.ie/history Notable visitors to Blarney Castle include Mick Jagger, Winston Churchill, Milton S. Hershey and Sir Walter Scott. http://www.blarneycastle.ie/famous_visitors

Blarney House was built 200 yards from the castle, in 1874. It houses a collection of fine art and furniture, and is open for tours during the summer.http://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/house The estate includes gardens and an arboretum, which are open all year.http://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/estate

Blarney Castle was home to the McCarthy clan for hundreds of years, until Lord Broghill, acting under orders from Oliver Cromwell, attacked the castle with cannons. When he breached the walls he found that everyone had vanished down a secret passage, taking all of their valuables with them.http://www.blarneycastle.ie/historic_events/view/38 The castle was sold to Sir James St. John Jefferyes in 1703, and it was his family which would eventually build Blarney House and improve the grounds.http://www.blarneycastle.ie/historic_events

There are many stories about Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone. One such story states that a witch who had been saved from drowning revealed the power of the Blarney Stone to the McCarthys. http://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/stone Supposedly a plate chest belonging to the last Earl of Clancarty was thrown into a nearby lake before the castle was surrendered, and legend says that the Earl rises from the lake every seven years in search of someone to whom he can confide its exact location. http://www.archive.org/stream/castlesofireland00adamiala/castlesofireland00adamiala_djvu.txt

It is said that Queen Elizabeth I was the first person to use the word blarney to refer to flattery, when she was frustrated by the McCarthy's attempts to postpone her deputy, the Earl of Leicester, from taking control of the castle. http://www.blarneycastle.ie/history

Blarney Castle and it's grounds are open all year, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Visitors should be aware that the ticket office closes 30 minutes before closing. Tour books are available in English, French and German. Student groups must be accompanied by a Guide Leader if they want to be allowed to kiss the stone.

Hours

• Monday to Saturday
  • May: 9 am to 6.30 pm
  • Jun-Jul-Aug: 9 am to 7 pm
  • Sept: 9 am to 6.30 pm
  • Oct-Apr: 9 am to sundown
• Sundays
  • Summer: 9 am to 5.30 pm
  • Winter: 9 am to sundown

 Rates

• Adult Admission: Euro 10
• Student / Seniors: Euro 8
• Children (8-14 years): Euro 3.50
• Family (2 Adults, 2 Children): Euro 23.50http://www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/rates