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A day out in Blarney Castle and Gardens

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The first stunning view of the castle

I am a dad and one of my most important duties is taking my family for day trips, from time to time. A few weeks ago, we went to Fota Wildlife Park (Video Review) in Cork. My family wanted to stay longer in the zoo but I decided that we should finally visit Blarney Castle and Gardens (Video Review), as we already were in the area.

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Our drive took around 60 minutes, as we were forced by the hunger of the small one, to drop into a local chipper, on the road to the castle.
Route from Fota to the castle

To be hones I did not expect much from this tourist attraction because of my experience gained in other places like Bunratty Castle and Gardens in Co.Clare and Muckross House and Gardens in Killarney, Co. Kerry.
I simply do not like commercially organised tourist attractions but this one... Just have a look on the following list of the things you can visit and enjoy in Blarney Castle and Garden complex:

• Blarney Castle ruins
• Blarney House - pre-booking required
• Caves
• Park divided into sections
• Poison Garden

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Our adventure in the complex begun with taking a few photos of trees wearing jumpers.

Crossing a few bridges over brooks and rivers we arrived at the base of the stronghold. I have to admit that this view is quite spectacular.

This is the view your going to experience

We penetrated dungeons of the ruins. Unfortunately, due to constant pressure form my family I did not take interesting pictures in almost complete darkness ;)
Our next steps took us to the interiors of this medieval stronghold. If you visit this place with kids remember to mind them at all times when in the ruins as there are some steep spiral staircases, and holes where small limbs can easily get into.
Anyways, there is not much to be admired inside, apart form medieval architecture, but the view form the top is indeed spectacular.

A view on the Blarney House

Blarney ruins form the machicolation

Long way down

A view form the balcony

And her majesticness medieval balcony herself

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Having determined, that living in a medieval castle might have been a bit of a challenge, due to drafts and loads of steep stairs, we soldered on to the next attraction i.e. Poison Garden

"Poison Garden img. www "

Where some connoisseurs will recognise this very plant

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Staring at unattractively looking plants wasn't the most interesting thing to do for our small one, so we had to move on to look for objects that would be more appealing to our child. After, 10 minutes walk in really

tip-top park,

we arrived at Blarney House

that looks like scaled Castle form Disneyland. Unfortunately, we did not see the interiors, according to local inhabitants the interiors of Blarney House can be visited by guided pre-booked tours only, but the official web-page says it is open to individuals. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the beautiful weather and poignant view of the

House

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We were running late, we left the house and we had a quick walk in Fern Garden with a waterfall, visiting ruins of ice house on the way back to the castle. We penetrated a cave under the ruins, nothing special for speleologist but a great adventure for my kid.

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I had taken a picture in one of the towers

just before we entered Rock Close. An area where your kid will enjoy Druids Cave and Witches Kitchen and small but beautiful waterfall.

Way to Rock Close

Dolmen in Rock Close

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Just to sum up, we really enjoyed a day in Blarney Castle and Gardens and you are more than invited to watch my YT review of this complex. Our small one was fully happy as well, she asked us when were we coming back to this place.

Blarney Castle and Gardens Video
Fota Wildlife Park aka Cork Zoo Video