Blarney Castle and Rock Close, Co. Cork

This historic castle is most famous for its Stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word Blarney was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth 1st and is described as pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending. The stone is set in the wall below the battlements, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards (grasping an iron railing) from the parapet walk.

Rock Close: Blarney Castle has long been famous because of the Blarney stone but the less known Rock Close and Castle grounds are well worth a visit in their own right. The Rock close is a mystical place where majestic yew and oak trees grow around an anceint druidic settlement. Follow the trail trhough giant Gunnera leaves and bamboo and you will find such geatures as a dolmen, wishing steps and a witch's kitchen. A water garden with waterfalls is presently being constructed which will add the sothing sound of water to the visitor's experience. Below the castle are mysterious caves and an arboretum filled with rare trees. There are pleasant walks along the riverbanks where you can sit and contemplate the reflections of the castle. In springtime the castle grounds are filled with thousands of bulbs. In autumn the whole place glows as the leaves turn red, amber and gold.

Situated	8km from Cork City.
Open	Monday-Saturday, May & September: 09:00-18:30 June/July/August: 09:00-19:00 October-April: 09:00 to sundown Sundays,Summer: 09:00-17:30 Sundays, Winter: 09:30 to sundown Last Admissions:30 minutes before closing
Admission	Details on application.
Facilities	Two souvenier shops, Bureau de Change, refreshments, restored stable yard, Blarney Lake and wildlife, arboretum and gardens, garden walk and woodlands walks, fern garden, ice-house, lime kiln and caves.
Contact	Blarney Castle, Blarney, Co. Cork Tel: +353 21 4385252 Fax: +353 21 4381518 Email: info@blarneycastle.ie Web Site: www.blarneycastle.ie