Blarney Castle sits on over 60 acres of gorgeous parklands. There are gardens, walk paths and more. Plenty for those who may not be up to the physical task of climbing up and up in The Castle where the narrow circular steps are quite step and one way. A bit of challenge also if you're claustrophobic. I had to keep concentrating to move quickly up where there would be openness. The view from the top is breathtaking. You can look in all directions...even if you don't plan to kiss the stone. This is hubby below.
He wanted to kiss the stone. That also is rather physical, and you're pressed for time, as the long to do so is quite LONG. We did fairly well, as our tour guide got us there at an off time. You lie on your back, bend your neck and head down to kiss the stone which is beneath you. I wasn't keen with the position, as a person with some back issues. Our friend who's pictures are in this post (her's were better than hubby's), wasn't keen on kissing a dirty stone where hundreds of thousands have put their lips. I would guess about 1/3 of our tour group kissed the stone. There were 39 of us. I think about 2/3rd's climbed to see the sites.
This is the estate house. No longer lived in. Beautiful flower gardens all around.
Not a view you see often, or at least we didn't. We do not have on rain coats, and I actually had removed my jacket and pushed up the sleeves. We had a nice lunch outside and it was comfortable. The ONLY meal we were able to do that. This was after the kissing of the stone and walking the grounds.
Another view of Castle, giving you an idea of it's height.
One cool morning we left (optional excursion) our hotel early with about 2/3rds of our party for a Jaunty Car trip through gorgeous park lands. The Killarney National Park is quite large and very pretty. Martin was our driver. A senior citizen who'd been doing this job a very long time. He told us his Father had also been a Jaunty Car Driver.
We were bundled up, but enjoying the ride.
Later in the day we traveled throughout the Ring of Kerry. Lots of pretty landscapes, sheep everywhere. Stone walls everywhere. And Green, Green, Green.
Jane in the foreground, me right behind her in one of the narrow passages; but you can see here we weren't closed in.
