Is it worth Kissing the Blarney Stone??

The Blarney Stone is only worth what you make of it. Is it worth the entry fee (it was 7 euro in 2005)? Is it worth climbing 3 stories of narrow, one direction stairs where you take a step or two, wait, take another step or two and so on until you get to the top, then shuffle along for about 30 feet until you get to the point where you have to lay on your back, over a slight opening between the floor and the wall, then put you lips on a stone that has been touched by thousands of other lips. (Read Ricks description in his book)

I would not recommend it unless you have seen everything else in Ireland. As for other ideas/suggestions take a look at some of the other threads under "To The North". There are so many things to do and see and they have been pretty much discussed on this site. Everyone has certain things they like and dislike. One suggestion is to go to a book store or library for a little preliminary research, then you can ask some specific questions.

How long will you be in Ireland?

Are you set on staying in Dublin the entire time?

If you have a week or more, consider staying in other towns.

Keep in mind that driving in Ireland is slow.

Don't forget that Northern Ireland has some great sights, too.

Get back to us with more info so we can help. I can tell you that where ever you go, you won't be disappointed, except maybe Blarney Castle ;).

Thanks...
Yeah Dublin is our primary location.

We'll look into other things then. thanks!!

Michelle, However, the grounds and the castle ruin are lovely. We also like the Rock of Cashel and Glendalough. If you've ever watched "Ballykissangel" the town, Avoca, where it was filmed is in Co. Wicklow I believe. BTW we did not kiss the Blarny Stone, but it was good enough for Ann Steves.

Yeah, we kissed the stone - part of a typical tourist excursion. Was it worth it enough to recommend it for your trip? Depends on how much time you have. If time is short, maybe not.

How long will you be there? Do you have any ability to stay a night or two in other parts of the country or should we be advising based totally on day trips from Dublin? Will you be renting a car for any day trips?

I've been there twice, the first time on my first trip to Ireland with my daughter, and the second time on my third trip, with my son. It is a pretty place, and the grounds are wonderful (and OK, so is the Blarney Woollen Mill store across the way). In April (1st time) there was a wait to get to the top. In February (2nd time) we walked right up to the top, and, since there were so few people there, we could move in and out of rooms easily. In June I'm sure it would be a different story.

Other day trips you might consider are Newgrange and the Boyne River valley, or Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains (Avoca is nearby - visit the mill to watch them weave woollens).

We went there in 2007 and I kissed the stone. I found a 5 euro note on the ground after doing so! I don't think I would do it again though. We drove there from Cobh where we stayed for 2 nights after staying 2 nights in Wicklow. Driving always takes longer than you think over there.

You get to the top. 2 guys help you as you lean backwards and you kiss part of the wall. You can see all the way to the ground when you lean over. They take your photo and you can buy it when you get back downstairs.

According to real historians, the Blarney stone is actually part of what's left of the castle's sewage discharge system.

The Irish snicker at this ritual

No, we didn't kiss it.

I was there standing at bottom of castle and said I think i will go have some India lunch ( FYI lunch was great) but I am sorry I did not wait in line to kiss the stone.

Michelle - After I heard what an Irishman does to the Blarney Stone, I went to the pub and had a pint.

all I have to say is EWWWW ,, I don't care if it promised world peace, how can anyone kiss a surface that hundreds of thousands of other peoples lips have been on.. that is gross , beyond gross. Now, if the view was good, I would go up for that , but exchanged bacteria ( hmm, cold sores anyone?) with the unwashed masses,, no way!

Based on what you have told us about your trip, I would skip it. I think it is worth a stop if you are in the area, but it is not worth traveling all the way from Dublin just to do that. There are much more interesting day trips. We visited in 2003 and enjoyed the grounds and the castle, but I wouldn't call it a highlight of our trip around Ireland. Just my humble opinion. (my recommendation: read up on the Trim and Newgrange area. It is closer to Dublin and makes a great day trip. Newgrange is very interesting and Trim has a wonderful castle that was used in the movie Braveheart)

I loved Blarney Castle and grounds and, yes, I kissed the Blarney Stone. The Castle is a great ruin, much better than I expected. Although all the wood from the old castle is rotted and gone, there are a lot of small rooms to explore. Under the castle is a cave. There are also pre-Celtic ruins and a Dolman on the grounds. Blarney House is a great look at how the other half lives. I think it's worth the trip.

For day trips from Dublin. I really liked the Boyne Valley tour with bus Eirenn to Newgrange and the Hill of Tara. Another good one, also with bus Eirenn, would be to the Glendalough monastic settlement ruins.

After reading these comments, I wouldn't waste my time. Seeing the castle is OK, but why kiss? Choose some other places to see.

Noh. I kist de blarny stone 30 yeres ahgo and now takk lik this. not verry elokwent I admitt.

Waste of time, as you've deduced. BTW, I learned the word "deduced" prior to kissing said stone. Skip it; spend your hard-earned euros somewhere else.

After talking to the Irish, there is no way I would ever kiss that stone! Instead, I wandered all through the castle, looked at the stone, and then walked through the gorgeous grounds. I love castles, and it was one of my favorite stops of the trip.

I'm not sure how the Blarney Stone could be part of the drainage system -- why would you carry sewage up to the top of the castle, anyway? It's on the ramparts of the castle, not where there were even rooms. And as for what is rumored the Irish do to it, I'd sure like to see someone try it, what with its physical position and the fact that the place is either locked or crowded with people all the time.

Visitng Blarney castle was a favorite stop for our family. 3 of the four of us kissed the actual Blarney stone -- I leaned back and "faked it" just for the fun experience -- then choose my own ranson piece of the castle to kiss. HAha. I figured my friends and family would appreciate my decision since I ALREADY have the gift of gab. :)

If it some thing you want to do -- then do it!! Don't let any naysayers here guilt you into skipping it if it is somehting you have always wanted to do.

Nancy

Read "Ancient Ireland"

The book does a good job of debunking many old Irish tales, some of which are repeated on these threads over and over.

They used to run sewage out into the moat to deter those wanting to forge across the moat. Unless you can show otherwise, I'll take the word of the archeologists that studied the stone and the ruins.

Nancy,

They used to carry sewage to the ramparts to drop on tourists, then someone got the idea to charge the tourists admission to kiss it. LOL

I don't believe many of the wives tales about kissing the blarney stone. It was a great place to visit. Apart from feeling a little like a cow lining up at a salt lick, kissing the stone didn't seem to transfer any deadly virus or bacteria. I would bet almost everyone in line is still living today (even if they're a little longer winded now than before).

Yeah, I don't believe the stories, either. Certain of the myths are physically impossible, and others are highly implausible. I have enjoyed the area both times I have been there. And yes, I kissed it both times.

Well we decided to give it a go.
I don't want to look back and wonder the "what if".

Got a great deal on Ryanair (103 euros for 2 of us, R/T!) and now we can say we went to see the Blarney Stone.

Whether or not we kiss it... well, I guess I'll find out when I get up to the stone, eh?

"According to real historians, the Blarney stone is actually part of what's left of the castle's sewage discharge system."

Can you point me to a reliable "real historian" for this proposition?

I'm with Dan. Unless we get a citation to a historical source from Steve (or someone), I think we can conclude he was just having a little fun with us (a little humor enlivens the proceedings). I only spent 3 minutes on this but did a quick Google search and nothing turns up supporting the sewage allegation. So, those who have kissed the Stone--not to worry!

I drink So Cal water... and I'm not too sure if its a step from sewage. ROFL.

Who would build any living structure that sends the sewage to the top level for discharge? I'd also like to know who the "real historian" is.

Gary....the soldiers lining the walls gotta go sometime! ;)

Ahhhhh, now I understand. Thanks Norm!

Hey Norm, forgot to ask, does this make you the reliable "real historian" we're seeking???

The stone in question is on the TOP of the opening, not the bottom, so even if they poured sewage through it, it wouldn't have touched the stone. Never mind the centuries of rain that have fallen on it in the interim. I wouldn't be concerned even if I believed it in the first place.

Gary...I AM a "real historian," but, luckily in this case, not of Ireland!