Direction Ireland

Blarney Castle Gardens

Southwest Ireland | County Cork

Blarney Castle Gardens occupies over 60 acres of sprawling parklands which include gardens, avenues, arboretums and waterways. Hidden behind the Castle battlements, the Poison Garden - educational collection of poisonous plants contains interesting plants from around the world. All the plants here are sign posted with information, about their toxicity, tradicional and modern day uses. In the heart of the Castle gardens lie the magnificent Fern Gardens. You will find there over 80 varieties of ferns including a 204 inch high “dicksonia antarctica” which happens to be the tallest of its kind in Ireland. Arboretums and Pinetum contain a collection of specimen trees, some of them being the largest of their kind in Ireland. They were mostly planted in the 1980's and 1990's but some already existing mature trees such as Yews, Limes, and Spanish Chestnuts are much older, maybe up to 600 years old. New specimens are being added every year to futher enhance the collection. The peaceful woodland walk is a quiet, secluded area that leads to a circuit of the 21 acre Blarney Lake. Throughout the walk you may hear rustling from the red squirrels and jays that call the woodlands home. On the lake be sure to look out for the resident family of swans, as well as otters.

• OPENING HOURS :
  • Monday to Saturday:
    • May: 9am to 6.30pm
    • Jun-Jul-Aug: 9am to 7pm
    • Sept: 9am to 6.30pm
    • Oct-Apr: 9am to 5.30pm/Sundown
  • Sundays:
    • Summer: 9am to 5.30pm
    • Winter: 9am to sundown
    • Last admission is 30minutes before closing
• ADMISSION FEES :
  • Adult: 12€
  • Child (8-14 years): 5€
  • Student/Seniors: 10€
  • Family (2 adults, 2 children): 30€
• CAR PARK :
  • Yes