- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 1446 · 15th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Coordinates
- 51.9289°, -8.5708°
History
The present stone tower was built in 1446 by Cormac MacCarthy, lord of Muskerry, on the site of earlier fortifications. In 1646, during the Irish Confederate Wars, it was taken by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. The MacCarthys regained it after the Restoration but lost it again after the Williamite War, and in 1703 the estate was bought by the Jefferyes family, who built a new house beside the castle and laid out gardens. Through marriage it later passed to the Colthurst family, who built nearby Blarney House in the 19th century and still own the castle today.
What to see
Narrow spiral stairs climb past the ruined chambers to the battlements, where you lean back to kiss the famous stone. The castle is surrounded by extensive gardens, including the Poison Garden of toxic plants and the mysterious Rock Close with its boulders, waterfall and Wishing Steps. You can also tour Blarney House, a Victorian mansion in Scottish baronial style.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q881739
Popularity: articles about this site in 23 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).