Blarney Castle in County Cork
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Port
Ringaskiddy (Cork), Ireland
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$109.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Journey through County Cork, a region rich in culture and heritage and steeped in 4,000 years of history.
Not far away, you'll find historic Blarney Castle. While visiting the castle, you can kiss the Blarney Stone set beneath the battlement wall. Legend says that the stone imparts the gift of eloquence to those who kiss it. You must lean backward from the parapet walk (held by the strong arms of a couple of Irish gentlemen) in order to do so. Blarney's unusual 18th-century "rock close" garden is believed to be the remains of a Druid site, with huge boulders and a sacrificial altar.
Stop at the Blarney Woolen Mill (1793) to browse through a wide range of Irish clothing, crystal, linen and handicrafts. Enjoy an Irish coffee before you return to Ringaskiddy.
Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Guests with physical limitations or a fear of heights can skip kissing the Blarney Stone. Terrain includes even and uneven surfaces, cobblestones, inclines, and 108 steps on a narrow spiral staircase to reach the stone. There can be long lines and a significant wait to kiss the Blarney Stone; patience is required, and it may not be possible for all guests to kiss the Blarney Stone within the time constraints. Bring local currency, as many vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars.