Discover Alone
“Kiss stone, don't die”
Blarney Castle. It’s not just a pretty face, it’s a fortress with a history thick as a brick. Built in 1446 by the MacCarthy of Muskerry, a cadet branch of the Kings of Desmond, this place has seen some proper drama. You’re standing on the site of earlier fortifications, but this keep is the real deal. The Blarney Stone sits right up in the machicolations, which is fancy talk for the holes where they dropped stuff on invaders. Story goes you kiss it for eloquence, but be warned: it’s a bit of a scramble. You’ll see the stone, the walls, and a lot of people trying not to fall off. I’m just here to add my two cents, or rather, my one kiss. Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the neck.
Photo: Daniel J Hastings, CC BY-SA 4.0
Then Tom went looking for the oddest places around it.
Stop 2 · A few steps on
Blarney House
“Confused castle house here”
Blarney House in County Cork is being cheeky. It claims to be a castle but looks like a very confused house. Don't trust the name, mate; take a pic if it smiles at you!
Blarney House is recorded as a castle in County Cork.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) w772403532Photo: Anna Maria 4574, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Stop 3 · A short walk away
Church of the Resurrection
“Suits and symmetry flexing”
Church of the Resurrection (Garrycloyne) is showing off its classical ego over that square. It’s all about the symmetry, like a bloke who only wears suits. Give it a shout if you see it flexing!
Freestanding cruciform-plan gable-fronted double-height Church of Ireland church, built 1776, comprising three-bay nave, having porch to front (west), single-bay transepts to sides (north, south) and single-bay chancel to rear (east). Underground vault to…
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 20845002Photo: Mark.john.hayes, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Stop 4 · A 5-minute spin away
post box
“Harp on bridge parapet”
Knocknasuff’s post box is showing off its Irish Free State harp mark from around 1930. It’s perched on a bridge parapet, watching the world change while it stays put. Give that Saorstát Éireann symbol a thumbs up!
Wall-mounted cast-iron post box, installed c.1930, having 'SE' stamp with harp in relief and foundry stamp to base. Set in rubble stone parapet of bridge.
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 20906220Photo: Hywel Williams, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Stop 5 · Hop back in the car, 10 minutes
Daly's Bridge
“Wobbly bridge, hold tight”
Daly's Bridge in Sunday'S Well is shaking things up, literally. Built in 1927, locals call it the Shaky Bridge because it wobbles. It’s the only suspension bridge in Cork City. Take a pic while you’re not scared of falling in!
Single-span footbridge, built 1927, spanning River Lee. Wrought-iron lattice construction supported by wrought-iron towers at either side on block bases. Lattice parapet. Wooden plank walkway.
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 20866038Photo: Sebastian “sebrem” B…, CC BY-SA 3.0
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The whole day on one map
See everything else around Blarney Castle →
Over a million places across Ireland and Britain, all free. Explorer Tom has a story for nearly every one.