Is It Worth the TWO-HOUR Wait to Kiss the Blarney Stone?

Almost half a million people make the trip to Blarney Castle annually. It's one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Emerald Isle, both because of how well preserved the castle is and because of the tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone. There are a lot of great reasons to visit Blarney Castle, including the views and the beautiful garden, but the main reason the castle gets so many visitors is the opportunity to engage in the age-old tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone.

What does it mean to kiss the Blarney Stone?

No one knows exactly when or why this tradition started, but it has definitely been popular since the 17th century! The stone was installed in the castle in 1446, and kissing it is said to give you "the gift of the gab," which means being a smooth talker, being eloquent and able to persuade people.

I don't know if that skill feels like a compelling reason to you. I personally was more just doing it to say I did it, to be honest. I think a big part of the reason it's so popular to kiss the Blarney Stone is because it's kind of hard to do. You have to lay on your back and scoot over the edge.

It takes flexibility and core strength and a little bit of daring. Don't get me wrong: It's definitely not dangerous - there are multiple people assisting you, there are bars underneath your head, and the only person ever to get hurt at Blarney Castle was someone who fell from a height before the guardrails were installed. But even though it's not actually dangerous, it definitely feels like it is.

The Pros and Cons of Kissing the Blarney Stone

Before I get into the math of to kiss or not to kiss, I want to preface this by saying that Blarney Castle and Gardens is definitely worth the visit. I highly recommend it. The gardens are awesome, and there's plenty to see even if you decide not to kiss the stone. Okay, let's get into it.

How long is the wait to kiss the Blarney Stone?

The biggest con of kissing the Blarney Stone is definitely the wait. We spent two hours in line to get our turn! There is, in fact, a sign at the end of the rope, where the line presumably starts, that says "Two-hour wait from this point." And don't get your hopes up that it will move faster than that. The sign was pretty accurate, and the line moves really slowly unless people climb to the top and decide not to kiss the stone.

That said, the line isn't all bad! First of all, more than half of the wait is outdoors, before you enter the castle. So you can sneak in and out of line at your leisure to buy a coffee, use the restroom, and check out the many different gardens in the Blarney estate. Also, if you already have "the gift of the gab," you will surely make friends with your line mates! Most tourists to Blarney are either American or Irish, so there's a good chance they will speak English and maybe even be your neighbors!

Secondly, the line is the only way to get into the castle! If you want to see the inside of the castle and the views from the top, you will have to endure the line. As one of the most well-preserved medieval castles in Ireland, Blarney is a popular tourist spot because most other castles are too dangerous to enter. Not only can you enter Blarney, but you can also get around the whole castle and walk around the top. It's really very cool to see, and again, only possible if you wait in the whole line. There are some pretty cool views of the town of Blarney and the surrounding gardens, which you can find in my other post on Blarney Gardens.

Is kissing the Blarney Stone unsanitary?

Honestly, I don't think kissing the stone is unsanitary. If you are a real germophobe, then I would say that it's probably not for you. But for me, it didn't feel like a big risk. Employees spray the Blarney Stone with disinfectant and wipe it down between each and every kiss. This surely slows the line more, but it also reduces the risk of spreading germs.

I believe this is a post-COVID precaution, but either way, you can feel comfortable that it's really not terribly dirty. Also, you can just give the stone a little peck, or even an air kiss. The experience of getting up there and assuming the position still applies. There's no need to make out with the Blarney Stone.

Is the Blarney Stone accessible?

Unfortunately, no. None of the Blarney Castle is terribly accessible. There are only stairs, and they can be a little steep and uneven. Even if you can do the stairs, kissing the stone still requires quite a bit of flexibility. While this part of the Blarney Castle experience may not be good for people of all physical abilities, the rest of the garden is gorgeous and definitely accessible.

Is it worth it to visit Blarney Castle if I don't kiss the stone?

In conclusion, I think kissing the Blarney Stone was worth the two-hour wait. I care less about the stone itself, but more so, I really enjoyed getting to see the inside of the castle and the views at the top, which again, you can only do by waiting in line.

Even if you don't want to wait to kiss the stone or can't make it up to the top of Blarney Castle, I would definitely still recommend a visit! Blarney Castle Gardens are beautiful, and there is a lot of cool history. You can still see the castle from the outside as well as some other structures around the estate.

Plus, Blarney Castle is just a little way outside of Cork, Ireland, which is also definitely worth a visit: