Blarney Stone — Attraction in Cork

This is such a popular place for tourists visiting Ireland, so expect it to be very busy! The “usual” waiting time in line to kiss the Blarney Stone is about 90 minutes to 2 hours! Be sure to arrive as early as possible (the gates open at 9 AM) to avoid the huge crowds that start to arrive by bus about 9 or 9:30 each day. If you can make it there early, go directly to the Castle first to get in line. We only had to wait about 15 minutes after making the climb to the top of the Castle to get our kiss and a photo because we were standing at the gate before opening time and the line was fairly short. It’s difficult to get good photos of your friends or family kissing the Stone, because you are upside down and bent back. They take photos for you, and it costs about 10 or 12 Euros for each printed and digital copy of your photo. It’s worth it, though! Plan on spending a few more hours here after your “stone kissing” to explore the expansive gardens and walking trails. The gardens are really beautiful, and there are several other very interesting features to find and photograph. You can buy tickets online or at the ticket counters. I didn’t think that there was any real advantage to buying them online in advance, because there was no dedicated line for ticket holders. We just had to stand in the same long lines as everyone else. Definitely make the plan to stop here for several hours, at least, to kiss the stone for the “gift of gab” when you...

The issue with the famous stone is a 1hr wait for a bad photo, for everyone to kiss a dirty stone which locals pee on since they dislike the tourists. The main issue is that the staff don't clean it. About 20 people kissed it and not a single wipe. You have to pay them to clean it but you're also so rushed you probably forget to ask or pay anyway. You have to lie upside down, bent backwards and kiss upwards so it's terrible either way and uncomfortable. The man will help gold you but its easier for smaller lighter people.

In general the visitors are pretty rude... and stupid. The castle is tiny and narrow, as in you have to crouch when waiting in line unless you are my height (under 5foot 1). And small feet 2.5-3 to fit on the steps. Everyone had to walk sideways. I did tell them off for their stupid comments of moving forward when people in front taking photos and videos, when obviously there is a line and a wait. Idiots decide to walk in the short areas or up your arse for no reason. There is literally no need to be up people's spaces or to make yourself stand on an uncomfortable area where you hit your head or cant stand on a step because it is the same queue.

The park is huge, its not signed well and tiring. Some areas you cant see, e.g. the walled garden, it added extra 50 minutes walk for no reason and we didnt see the lake since that adds on...

As one of the attractions for a visit to Blarney Castle and Gardens, the Blarney Stone needs to be contextualised in order to be enjoyed. First of all, it is based on a legend. That should be clear. Kissing it won't necessarily bestow the gift of eloquence upon you. Secondly, you should probably plan your visit with a bit of logic. The place can become unpleasantly crowded, and the staircase giving you access to the upper part of the castle, where the stone is located, becomes rather narrow in its final section, so much so that a person with a large body may feel slightly claustrophobic. We visited on a weekday in January, and for us it was a breeze. No crowd, no waiting times, but it will not be like that on week-ends and in warmer months. Once on the top, a gentleman will help you lean back through a hole in the wall for you to kiss the stone from below... in itself, perhaps, not the easiest exercise for the elderly and anyone else with a movement impediment. Having said that, having come all the way to Blarney, why not be lured by legend and follow the flow? However, since I had gone through the drill during my previous visit, 38 years ago, this time I left the...