Tourist traps get a bad rap, but there are several in Ireland that you absolutely have to do!
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Kissing the Blarney Stone
Obviously, kissing the Blarney Stone is one of the biggest tourist traps in Ireland, but it’s a MUST-DO! Who doesn’t want to lay in this awkward position and smooch a rock that millions of other people have also spread their germs on? While the actual experience isn’t terrific, no trip to Ireland can be complete without participating in this quirky tradition.
Origin Stories
Kissing the stone theoretically gives you the gift of gab. There are several origin stories of the ritual. One is that the stone you kiss was the pillow that the Biblical Jacob slept on as he dreamed of a ladder extending into Heaven. The stone was brought to Ireland from the Holy Lands by Crusaders. Another theory is that the stone was originally part of the Stone of Scone where Scotland’s royalty are inaugurated. It is said that Robert Bruce gave it to the MacCarthy Chieftain in appreciation for sending 5,000 soldiers to Scotland to help him fight King Edward II.
Still another legend says that 14th century Blarney Castle owner Cormac McTaidhg Láidir MacCarthy saved a drowning old woman. The woman turned out to be a witch. She told him that the stone, which was already part of the castle, was magic and that kissing it would unleash it. Another legend also involves Cormac McTaidhg Láidir MacCarthy and a magical woman, this one the Queen of the Fairies. The Queen, daughter of a Druid, was in love with a young chieftain who did not love her. When he died in battle, she found his body. His blood was soaking into the stone upon which he lay. As she kissed the stone, her tears mingled with the blood and it absorbed her magical powers. Much later, after the stone was installed in the castle, the Queen told Cormac that kissing the stone unleashed its magic.
Why You’ll Love It
Blarney Castle itself is in ruins, but it’s still fun to climb the narrow circular staircases and explore the old rooms. Interpretive signs are in the various castle rooms to give you an idea of what the castle might have looked like before falling into ruin. There’s a chapel, banqueting hall, family room, great hall, kitchen, young ladies’ bedroom, priest’s room, and even a dungeon.
Blarney Gardens are extensive and gorgeous, no matter what season you visit. The Board Walk and Water Garden features aquatic flora and numerous waterfalls and is gorgeous to walk through. But be careful as you explore the Carnivorous Garden filled with plants that devour animals and the Poison Garden filled with plants whose by-products can kill people. Some of the largest trees in Ireland are in the gardens, along with tropical flowers, preserved plant species from North Vietnam, and flora from the Himalayas.
Perhaps the most beguiling items in the gardens are places where Druids and witches gathered and lived. The Rock Close has a druidic sacrificial alter, a hermit’s cell, and a witch’s kitchen. And there’s also the Seven Sisters featuring nine standing stones (seven of which still stand). Legend has it that a medieval chieftain had nine children, seven girls and two boys. After the two sons were killed in battle, the chieftain ordered that the two of the nine stones knocked down.
Blarney Woolen Mills
Near Blarney Castle you will find Blarney Woolen Mills. You will see this on many tour group itineraries. When you see the name, you may think it’s a working wool mill. And it used to be! But today, it the “largest Irish store in the world.” Ergo one of our tourist traps in Ireland!
Established in 1823, Blarney Woolen Mill was Mahony’s Mills. It produced tweeds and woolens using a water-powered mill. It closed in the early 1970s. In 1975, an entrepreneur transformed it into the store it is today.
But it’s worth a stop for a few reasons. First, you’ll find all kinds of Irish products there, like sweaters, scarves, throws, crystal, china, Celtic jewelry, souvenirs, and a whole lot more. So it’s a great place to get your souvenirs. Not everything is from Ireland, so if that’s important to you, make sure to ask.
Another reason to visit is that it offers several dining options. The Mill Restaurant is a great place to stop for lunch before or after touring Blarney Castle, or grab a drink and a snack at Christy’s Bar. The adjacent Barney Woolen Mills Hotel offers an afternoon tea. It’s also a good option if you need a place to stay while touring the area.
Killarney Jaunting Car Tours
Another of our tourist traps in Ireland is taking a jaunting car tour in Killarney. This century old tradition is a staple of tourism in the city. A jaunting car is a horse-drawn carriage typically with side facing seats. The carriage driver AKA jarvey is a friendly local. As you trot down the streets of Killarney and into Killarney National Park, your jarvey will regale you with entertaining stories, jokes, the names of plants and animals you see, and local history.
Jaunting car tours take you into Killarney National Park. It’s a relaxing way to visit the park to see the gorgeous scenery, red deer, wildflowers, and centuries-old oak trees. Different routes are available. You can choose from Muckross Abby, the 15th century Ross Castle, or the Gap of Dunloe.
Sure, you could save a little money by renting a bike and riding through Killarney National Park on your own. But you’ll miss out on charm of the experience and the vast knowledge of your friendly and entertaining jarvey!
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is one of those typical touristy places where houses and buildings from all over Ireland are in one location. The castle dates from the 15th century. Unlike many castles in Ireland, this one is restored and full of furniture. It’s a nice contrast to the castle ruins most tourists explore during their Ireland trips.
But perhaps the best part of the complex is the Folk Park. Here are 30 buildings showcasing life at all levels of society. As you wander through thatched cottages, old houses, schoolhouses, village stores, and more, you see how people in 19th century Ireland lived, from the poorest to the richest.
Perhaps the main reason why this attraction makes our list of tourist traps in Ireland is the castle’s medieval banquet. You can dine on a four course meal and enjoy entertainment from the Bunratty Castle Singers. You’ll sip mead while feasting on spiced parsnip soup, Irish soda bread, spare ribs, pan-fried chicken, baby roasted potatoes, and rastin (apple cinnamon crunch with Chantilly cream). You might feel a little like medieval royalty, hopefully minus the filth and vermin common to such banquets in the past. Despite the fact that the banquet is touristy, it has stellar reviews and is generally considered to be a fun way to spend an evening.
Irish Dinner Show
The final entry on our list of tourist traps in Ireland is the infamous Irish show. Some of these experiences include dinner (which is typically nothing to write home about), and some don’t. They all are created with the intention of introducing travelers to the Irish culture through music and dancing. Locals don’t go to these shows for overpriced food and entertainment. They will go to local bars and city festivals and their own children’s’ recitals to see this type of entertainment.
But tourists are less likely to find those hidden gems where traditional music and dancing are happening. So these shows exist to give you a taste of the local culture in a nice, compact 2-3 hour experience. And that’s OK! Sometimes a curated experience designed for tourists is exactly how you want to experience something like this. It’s in the venue’s best interest to make sure you walk away happy and willing to leave a good review!
One example of an Irish dinner show in Dublin is Taylors Three Rock. It offers a cabaret show with a three course meal. The show includes champion Irish dancers, a resident Irish Tenor, and a decorated Soprano. They also offer an Irish Night. It also pairs a three course meal with Irish dancers and traditional musicians. In this show, the audience gets involved in a sing-a-long of Irish ballads.
In Killarney, you can opt to attend the Celtic Steps stage show. This show doesn’t include dinner. But it does include traditional dancing, instruments, and vocalists. It’s a good option is you want the show but aren’t super interested in the lackluster food provided at most of these types of experiences.
Which of these tourist traps in Ireland is your favorite?
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