Blarney Castle Day Trip From Dublin

Do you intend to take a day trip to Blarney Castle? We’ve got you covered! Ireland is a place rich with mythology, folklore, and stunning scenery.

Blarney Castle, a timeless beauty that takes tourists into a realm of history, enchantment, and mystery, is one of its most renowned attractions. A day trip to Blarney Castle, located just outside of Dublin, promises to be an amazing experience.

Related Read: Blarney Castle And Gardens: All You Need To Know

We’ll look at the attractiveness of Blarney Castle and why it’s a must-see for everyone visiting the Emerald Isle.

Blarney Castle Day Trip From Dublin

History of Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle is a tower house, a form of fortification constructed between the years 1500 and 1600 by Gaelic lords as well as Anglo-Irish. These tower houses, reaching heights of four or five stories, feature one or two main chambers along with numerous smaller rooms on every story.

Blarney Castle is a massive tower house with at least two towers, the second of which was erected in the 1500s. The location where the two stages meet may be seen as a vertical line in the brickwork on the northern side of the structure.

With a walls of 18 feet thick at the base, gradually angling inwards as they ascend. This not only makes the structure more sturdy, but it also helps with defense: when an object is thrown from the top, it bounces off the wall on the way down and flies out into the enemy.

Best Time to Visit Blarney Castle

The Blarney Castle is open all year. Because the property comprises a large park, Spring until October is the best season to visit Blarney Castle. Summer is an excellent season to visit Emerald Isle but be prepared for crowded tourist.

It is entirely OK to visit Blarney in the winter. Just make sure you know when the greatest time to visit Ireland is because you’ll want to see more than just one location.

How to Get There

Blarney Castle stands in Blarney Village, which is eight kilometers northwest of Cork City in the south of Ireland. Traveling to Blarney Castle is straightforward, whether you rent a car in Ireland or take public transit.

By Train

Cost: $41.00
Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes

There is no rail service to Blarney. However, you should consider taking the train to Cork in the first place.

The key advantage is that Cork is easily accessible to the rest of the nation, with easy access from places such as Dublin, Killarney, and even Galway. Waterford is the closest train station to Blarney Castle in Waterford.

By Car

Estimated Fuel Cost: $65.00
Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Driving to Blarney Castle from Cork city center is possible, and GPS navigation will inform you that the quickest route is through Sunday’s Well Road. This route may not be suitable for you if you are not a confident driver.

If you begin your road trip in Dublin, include the Wicklow Mountains and Kilkenny in your schedule. Limerick is about 100 kilometers north of Blarney Castle, and the N20 takes roughly one hour and fifteen minutes to get there.

By Bus

Cost: $21.50
Duration: 4 hours

If you’re taking public transportation, you may reach Cork City via rail or bus. To get to Blarney Village, take the 215 bus from Cork City Bus Station located at Parnell Place.

This route is served by Bus Eireann, and the travel takes around twenty minutes. Catching the bus to Blarney Castle is a terrific way to save money.

8 Best Things to Do at Blarney Castle

This legendary medieval stronghold is more than simply a beautiful setting; it’s a site where tales come to life and visitors may immerse themselves in a world of mystery and magic.

Here are the top things to do at Blarney Castle, from the world-famous Blarney Stone to the magnificent gardens and enthralling legends of the past.

1. Walls And Bawn

Blarney Castle may have been encircled by a defensive wall that encircled an area of roughly 8 acres known as the ‘Bawn’. This not only provided sanctuary for cattle and humans in times of peril, but it was also a hive of activity.

Blacksmiths, masons, carpenters, chefs, and any livestock could be found here. The bawn wall is no longer standing, but its path is followed by the stone wall that runs along the Poison Garden.

2. Chapel, Banqueting Hall & Family Room

A series of stairs descends from the parapet to the service area outside the kitchen, with views of the ‘Chapel’ and the ‘Banqueting Hall’ underneath it.

It is believed that what is now the ‘Chapel’ originally served as the Banqueting Hall once the Castle was built: it is the biggest of the primary rooms, filling the whole floor at this level, and has the best architectural medication, with arched ceilings on three walls.

A unique remnant of early 17th-century plasterwork, a fragment of a frieze that would have originally graced the walls of this chamber, may be found on the south wall opposite.

3. The Dungeon

A kennel dog and sentry box protect the entrance beneath the observation tower on the route up to the Castle. A third hole in the rock leads to the dungeon, although we don’t know if captives were housed there.

What is clear is that this well defended the Castle, which had to be secured while being accessible even if the tower was under assault. This is also the gateway to a maze of hidden underground corridors and rooms that are now unreachable to even the most daring explorer.

4. Young Ladies’ Bedroom

The older tower’s spiral staircase climbs up to the ‘Young Ladies’ Bedroom,’ with the ‘Priest’s Room’ above it – the floor between them has vanished.

If the conventional concept of the chamber above is right, their good conduct will be secured. The absence of gun loops, the space in its west window, maybe for a tiny altar, and the design of the window all point to a more hallowed position. This area might have even served as a little chapel.

5. The Great Hall

A wooden staircase goes up from the guards’ quarters into a vaulted chamber with a superb 17th-century fireplace.

The ‘Great Hall’ was the nerve center of Castle life, where guests were welcomed and entertained.

6. The Kitchen

The chamber above the ‘Priest’s chamber,’ maybe originally the nicest bedroom, was changed into the kitchen in the 16th century.

It was located close to the ancient Banqueting Hall, and its elevated location on the top floor decreased the chance of fire and provided a handy supply of boiling oil to throw over the parapet onto undesirable guests.

7. Blarney Stone

The phrase ‘blarney,’ which means enticing but deceptive language, became popular in the 16th century when the MacCarthys of the time sought to defy Queen Elizabeth I’s requests.

Legends concerning the origins of the Stone arose, one as believable as the next. It was supposed to be the stone utilized as a pillow by Jacob when he thought of the ladder reaching up to heaven with angels descending and ascending on it, and it was transported from the Holy Land after the Crusades.

8. Blarney House

Blarney House, built in 1874 to greet the family’s return after a 54-year exile, may surprise you with its Scots baronial architecture, which is uncommon in the southern part of Ireland.

John Lanyon of Belfast designed it. Blarney House is typical of High Victorian architecture, although it also contains features of other styles.

The first-floor window is adorned with Jacobean strapwork above, and the skyline is classic Scots baronial, with stepped gables and a tower. The skyline is vibrant, with conical roofs atop towers topped by ornamental finials and towering chimneys abounding.

Best Group Day Tours to Join in Blarney Castle

While seeing the castle on its own is a wonderful experience, taking a group day trip may take your adventure to new heights.

Here are the best Blarney Castle group day tours to take, allowing you to immerse yourself in the culture, heritage, and splendor of this enchanting place.

From Dublin: Blarney Castle Full-Day Tour

Meeting Place: Suffolk St, Dublin 2, D02 KX03
Price: $97.00 per person

Take a luxurious, air-conditioned bus out of Dublin and witness the urban landscape give way to the rolling, lush landscape of the Irish countryside. Drive through various interesting sites, including the Galtee Mountains as well as the Curragh in County Kildare, the location of Ireland’s National Stud Farm.

Stop at Blarney Castle, which is famous across the world for its Blarney Stone. Explore the rest of Blarney Castle, especially its gorgeous grounds and woodland paths, if you want to get the gift of the gab. Walk the Wishing Steps to get a closer look at the beautiful Rock.

Day Tour Highlights:

•  Depart at the Mollye Malone Statue
• The Rock Castle
• At Blarney Castle, kiss the Blarney Stone.

To book this tour click here.

Dublin: Full-Day Tour to Cork, Cobh, and Blarney Castle

Meeting Place: Heuston Station, St John’s Rd W, Dublin
Price: $147.00 per person

A full-day journey south to the bustling city of Cork will take you away from the buzz and bustle of Dublin. Kills the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, admires the city center’s Georgian architecture, and visits Cork Harbor to witness a Victorian-era train station and transatlantic terminal.

Early in the morning, take the train from Heuston Station to Cork City on the InterCity service. When you arrive, go to Blarney Castle to kiss the renowned Blarney Stone and obtain the gift of perpetual eloquence.

Enjoy some free time in Blarney Village to shop and eat lunch. Visit Cork, Ireland’s southern capital, for a quick city tour of its arts, music, and literature areas.

Day Tour Highlights:

• Explore Cork City, the largest and most populated city in southwest Ireland.
• At Blarney Castle, kiss the renowned Blarney Stone.
• Learn about Irish emigration at the Queenstown Story Heritage Center.

To book this tour click here.

Dublin: Blarney Castle Small Group Tour

Meeting Place: Simmonscourt Road Ballsbridge, Dublin
Price: $147.00 per person

Depart in the morning from one of Dublin’s premier hotels. Climb into a luxurious Mercedes-Benz touring car for a small group trip conducted by a professional guide, with a maximum of 25 people.

Travel through Ireland’s scenic midlands, the Golden Vale farm plains of Tipperary and Cork counties.

Arrive in Tipperary’s world-famous Rock of Cashel, where you may walk in St. Patrick’s footsteps, surrounded by ruins and round castles. Feel the essence of Ireland as you appreciate the Catholic Church, one of Europe’s outstanding specimens of medieval architecture.

Day Tour Highlights:

• Travel in a premium car with a small party of 25 passengers.
• Discover the fabled Blarney Castle and Gardens.
• Get away from the city and into the pure air of the lush countryside.

To book this tour click here.

Practical Tips for the Blarney Castle Day Trip

A day trip to this historic location allows visitors to experience breathtaking scenery, explore a medieval castle, and even indulge in the fabled act of kissing the Blarney Stone.

To help you make the most of your day trip to Blarney Castle, we’ve created a list of practical recommendations that will ensure an amazing experience.

Expect an Entrance Fee

Entrance to Blarney Castle is $19.70 per person. Sadly, the tickets are somewhat expensive, which could make you hesitate to tour the castle, particularly if you’re on a tight budget.

Passes can be bought online beforehand or at the ticket desk upon arrival. They don’t have defined hours.

Bring Necessary Equipment

The castle grounds are vast, and the steps up to the tower are uneven. As a result, make sure to wear comfy shoes. If you intend to spend several hours there, pack lots of water and food with you.

You Can Ask the Employees to Take Pictures of you While Kissing the Stone

They take an official photograph, which you can buy at the bottom of Blarney Castle. They will, however, capture images using your phone or camera. Just remember to bring some cash to provide a great tip.

Visit in the Morning or the Evening

You won’t want to stand in line for hours to kiss the Blarney Stone. We recommend coming around 9:30 a.m. or later than 5 p.m. Just be careful to arrive before the latest entrance hour. Tickets may also be purchased in advance on the legitimate Blarney Castle website.

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