Every year, thousands of travelers flock to Blarney Castle near Cork, Ireland, all for one peculiar reason—to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone. But is it worth the hype? And more importantly, should you actually pucker up? Let’s dive into the history, myths, and practical tips to help you decide.
The Enchanting Blarney Castle: More Than Just a Stone
Standing tall in partial ruins, Blarney Castle is straight out of a fairytale. As you wander through its grounds, you’ll stumble upon hidden gems like the Druids’ Circle, the Wishing Steps, and the eerie Witch’s Cave. Lush gardens weave through the property, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a medieval fantasy.
But the real star of the show? The Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone, perched at the top of the castle. Installed in 1446, this mysterious rock has sparked debates, legends, and yes—millions of kisses.
The Blarney Stone’s Mysterious Origins
Where did this magical stone come from? No one knows for sure, but legends swirl like Irish mist. Some say it was the Fatal Stone, used to crown ancient Irish kings. Others claim it was split in two—half sent to Blarney Castle, the other to Edinburgh Castle as the Stone of Destiny.
The most enchanting tale? A witch, saved from drowning, revealed its secret to Chieftain Cormac McCarthy: “Kiss this stone, and you’ll never be lost for words.” Whether you believe in magic or not, the promise of eternal eloquence is hard to resist.
The Kissing Ritual: A Test of Trust (And Hygiene)
Here’s the big moment—how do you actually kiss the Blarney Stone?
- Climb to the top of the castle (wear comfy shoes—it’s a steep trek!).
- Lie on your back and lean backwards over a ledge.
- Pucker up while gripping iron railings for support.
Years ago, visitors dangled by their ankles to reach it—thankfully, safety measures have improved! But let’s address the elephant in the room: Is it sanitary? With hundreds of daily kisses, some call it the “most unhygienic tourist attraction” in the world. If germs make you squirm, maybe admire it from afar.
Why Ireland Should Be Your Next Adventure
Beyond Blarney, Ireland remains an affordable dream destination. Flights from the U.S. are often cheaper than other European hotspots, and tours like Cosmos Vacations’ Irish Explorer or Globus Tours’ Introduction to Ireland make planning a breeze.
Want to experience St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland? It’s not too late to book—imagine celebrating where the magic began!
Final Verdict: To Kiss or Not to Kiss?
Personally? Unless the stone grants me superhuman blogging powers, I’ll pass. But for most, the tradition outweighs the ick factor. So, would you kiss the Blarney Stone? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Many people each and every year travel to Ireland specifically for a trip to the Blarney Castle, near Cork, Ireland. The castle stands in partial ruins, but still has accessible rooms and battlements for people to see. You can tour through the grounds of this castle following many signs that are scattered throughout, leading you to many different attractions including the Druids Circle, the Wishing Steps and the Witch’s Cave. All throughout the property of the Blarney Castle there are also several lovely gardens. It looks like the scene from a fairytale. The Stone of Eloquence remains at the top of the castle. This stone is commonly referred to as the Blarney Stone. The stone is said to have been placed there in 1446.
No one truly knows where the stone came from, or why it is said to be a magical stone, but many people believe that is was originally the Fatal Stone that was used to choose kings in Ireland, and was later moved to Scotland where it was called the Stone of Destiny, used for the same reason. Eventually it was cut in half – one went to Blarney Castle, and the other half is said to be located in Edinburgh Castle. As far as it’s magical powers, it is said that a witch who was saved from drowning revealed its power to Chieftain Cormac McCarthy, who was the owner of the castle at that time. “There is a stone there that whoever kisses, Oh! He never misses to grow eloquent.”
If you’ve never traveled here or done your research before going, you’ll be amazed at what you are going to see. People climb to the top of the castle, and then must lie down and lean backwards over a ledge to kiss the Blarney Stone. The stone was repositioned at one point, because years ago you had to be held by your ankles in order to reach it, now you can lean back and iron railings are there to grab onto. The ritual of kissing the Blarney Stone, according to the castle’s proprietors, has been performed by millions of people….hundreds of people kiss the stone daily, leaving some to state that it is one of the most unhygienic tourist attractions in the world.
Ireland continues to be an affordable destination. The Irish Explorer with Cosmos Vacations and Introduction to Ireland with Globus Tours are two of our most popular sellers. Airfares from the U.S. to Ireland are also quite reasonable in comparison to flying to other parts of Europe. It’s not too late to book your trip to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
The Blarney Castle is a must see if you are ever planning on traveling to Ireland. I personally have no interest in kissing the stone unless its going to give me magical powers to write my blog in my sleep, but most people don’t seem to give it a second thought. Tell me – have you or would you kiss the stone?
