Blarney Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

Town and Country Homes Association represent over 1000 quality approved Bed and Breakfast accommodations in every county in Ireland including Blarney, County Cork. Our  B&B's in Cork offer comfort and value for money and you can be guaranteed of a warm welcome and kind hospitality when staying in Town and Country Homes accommodation in Blarney, County Cork. Whether you wish to stay in town or in the country, we have a bed and breakfast to suit you in Blarney, County Cork.

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Blarney, County Cork

Blarney (An Bhlárna in Irish) is a village in the south of Ireland, located 8 km northwest of Cork, Ireland. It is the site of Blarney Castle, home of the legendary Blarney Stone. Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland. It is near the River Martin. The castle originally dates from before AD 1200. It was destroyed in 1446, but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac MacCarthy, the King of Munster. It is currently a partial ruin with some accessible rooms and the battlements. At the top of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone.

Tourists visiting Blarney Castle may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. Photographs are taken of the "magic moment". There are many legends as to the origin of the stone, but some say that it was the Lia Fáil—a magical stone upon which Irish kings were crowned. Surrounding the castle are beautiful and quite extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations which have been given fanciful names, such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. Blarney House, a Scottish baronial-style mansion, was built on the grounds in 1874. It is also open to the public.

By kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, it is claimed that one can receive the "Gift of the Gab" (eloquence, or skill at flattery or persuasion). The legend has its roots in the response of the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth I to Cormac Teige McCarthy's attempt to blandish his way out of a difficult situation, during negotiations of the takeover of the Blarney Castle by the occupying English forces. Cormac himself was the King of Munster, living in the Blarney Castle around the 14th century. The stone itself is rumoured to have been created by a witch during the Middle Ages.

Blarney Stone
 
The Blarney StoneThe Blarney Stone is a block of bluestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, Blarney about 8 km from Cork, Ireland. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of gab (great eloquence or skill at flattery). The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446. The castle is a popular tourist site in Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the world to kiss the Stone and tour the castle and its gardens. The word blarney has come to mean clever, flattering, or coaxing talk.

Tourism

Blarney village is a major tourist attraction in County Cork. Mostly people come to see the castle, kiss the stone, and go shopping. The centre of the village is dominated by The Square - a grass field where Blarney locals and the townpeople from Cork City journey to during the summer. Activities include soccer, sunbathing and other recreational activities. Book a B&B in Blarney online for best rates and availability!

Transport & communications

It is proposed that the town will be connected to Cork City and the rest of Metropolitan Cork by train in 2008. The nearest airport is Cork Airport. Blarney formerly had its own narrow gauge railway station. The Cork and Muskerry Light Railway linked Blarney with Cork; it opened in 1887 but closed on 29 December 1934.

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Click on the links below to book other Bed and Breakfasts in County Cork

Cork City B&B     Bantry B&B     Cobh B&B     Kinsale B&B     Skibbereen B&B     Fermoy B&B     Mallow B&B     Midleton B&B