From kissing the Blarney Stone to falconry and fairways at Dromoland Castle, discover an unforgettable taste of Ireland’s history, scenery, and royal hospitality.

When planning a trip to Ireland, the city of Blarney is guaranteed to pop up as a destination spot and for good reason. The quaint and beautiful tourism town surrounding the famous Blarney Castle is a sight to behold. But just a short drive northwards lies the less-frequented but equally breathtaking town of Dromoland. These lands of ancient lords and ladies landed on the itinerary for my family, and I’d highly recommend adding it to your own if you’d like to get a taste of some royal treatment.

Blarney Castle and Gardens

Since our group would only be in Blarney for a few hours, we had to maximize our time at Blarney’s main attraction– Blarney Castle and Gardens, home of the famous Blarney Stone. Built in the 1400s, the castle was home to the MacCarthy family for centuries before the property changed hands in the 1600s and was abandoned for the Blarney House in the 1800s. The Blarney stone itself is likely a gift of gratitude from another king after the MacCarthy’s aided in battle before the castle was even built, and many theories surround its origin and mythos.

After hopping off the tour bus and giving our tickets at the entrance, a lush expanse of manicured greenery lay out before us, all to frame the legendary Blarney Castle in the distance. Naturally that was our first stop. The gravel pathways led us through gardens and over a small creek before a short hike up to the castle entrance. The castle is extremely well preserved compared to the other ancient ruins we had casually passed during car and bus rides, and retains many original elements to the structure despite heavy foot traffic.

We stood in line to slowly make our way through the winding castle halls, reading up on historical facts as we slowly but surely got closer to the Blarney Stone itself. The climb through the castle wasn’t strenuous, but I will caution that there are some sections that will be quite uncomfortable for taller or wider individuals. The spiral stairwell in particular demands a sure foot through its narrow steps.

After the somewhat claustrophobic climb we arrived on the roof of the castle, getting a pristine view of our surroundings and the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone. The ordeal is a bit awkward as you must lay down on a slanted mat while an employee holds your legs and you bend backwards over an opening in the castle wall and floor. They disinfect the surface after every guest, but my family decided we’d do the motion for the photo op, but skipped out on actually pressing our lips to the stone (besides, our chatty lot probably didn’t need “the gift of gab”).

Now that we had our chance to kiss the Blarney Stone, we slowly traversed the stairs back down to the grounds and exited the castle. For those who may want to explore more there are other entrances and pathways in the castle, they just don’t lead to the stone.

Immediately after exiting, we strolled through the “poison garden” kept on site very close to the castle, which houses a variety of poisonous and predatory plants and has various facts on their effects or uses. A short walk beyond the garden will reveal the Blarney House, the 1800s mansion that also sits on the property. To go in and get the guided 30 minute tour is an extra fee that should be pre-scheduled if you want to see inside. We did not have the time in our trip so we had to admire it from afar, but don’t let that stop you from booking if you’re interested.

After walking down to the small lake and grabbing a quick snack at the stables-turned food court, we realized our time in Blarney had already come to a close. Although we only had time for this stop, a quick walk around the town proved there was plenty to do outside the castle grounds. Another popular tourist spot is the Blarney Woolen Mills if your own stay in Blarney is longer than ours.

Dromoland Castle

The bus took our crew about an hour and a half northbound to Dromoland Castle, our place of residence for the next few days and one of the finest hotels in all of Ireland. The castle was the ancestral home of the O’Briens, and survived many centuries of war and turbulence in Ireland under their care. It still displays an 1800s-era gothic style even after its transformation into a hotel in the 1960s.

The castle staff set up a grand display of hospitality for our arrival as the bus drove through the property gates. A crew of men on horseback were trailed by a large pack of hunting dogs, all of them trailing alongside the road as we were brought to the castle’s front door. The staff was waiting to greet everyone at the door and personally escort them to their quarters, helping us navigate through the seemingly endless hallways.

The amenities in the rooms were like no other. Our two rooms had windows that looked out into a garden courtyard, full air conditioning, plenty of snacks and closet space, large and regal beds and a stunning bathroom with a separate shower and tub. In addition to these basic features we were also given various gift bags every night with different skincare items, water, and chocolate snacks.

After a brief visit to our room we were told to go to the Earl of Thomand restaurant, the flagship dining experience inside the castle, to treat ourselves to afternoon tea. We were treated to a variety of mini-sandwiches, desserts, and of course coffee and tea. The restaurant looks out onto the nearby lake and golf course and is adorned with chandeliers and antiques that really make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.

Once we’d finished with tea we took some time to walk around and explore our surroundings. While walking back towards the property gates we discovered a breathtaking private garden wedged in between the spa and a separate restaurant. The whole place looked like a set straight out of Bridgerton or similar historical fiction shows.

To end our first day as honorary kings and queens, we sat out on the front lawn dining section and enjoyed some cocktails, mocktails and a light dinner. There was a giant chessboard which kept my dad and brother entertained, and a perfect sunset view of the lake as the day drew to an end.

Cliffs of Moher

The windy topside paths of the Cliffs of Moher are often filled with the sound of music
from local musicians. Video Julia Helsel

The next day we piled back into tour buses to head towards the coast to gaze upon the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. The geological marvel stretches on for 8 kilometers and is often the home to migrating puffins. After an hour-long drive we were dropped off at the park which consists of some souvenir shops and one large, long, winding, paved walking trail.

Sea birds squawked and soared below as we took a good look out to sea, the sheer coastal drop where rock meets the sea stretched on endlessly in both directions. Large brick walls line a large part of the pathway for safety, and the full hike is only moderately strenuous. At the halfway point we waited patiently to be allowed into a small viewing tower built by the same O’Briens that owned Dromoland castle.

To the left musicians were busking and to the right flocks of sheep were grazing. The large flatlands of the clifftops are still used for raising sheep, but can only be admired at a distance. A brisk ocean breeze followed us as we walked down an increasingly narrow footpath, with the oceanic waves crashing softly underneath us.

It was a perfectly meditative spot which offered a jaw-dropping perspective of the Irish coast so if you have the opportunity to visit Ireland’s “Wild Atlantic Way”, this is a must-see. In case you’re wanting to do more in this spot, boat tours can also be booked to take tourists out to the Aran islands, home of Aran Sweater Market, which can be seen distantly from the cliffs.

Lahnich

Just a few miles away from the cliffs is the city of Lahnich, a cute coastal area with a small public beach and lots of food and souvenir shops. After working up an appetite at the cliffs of Moher, we stopped at a local spot called Spooney’s for a plate of fresh fish and chips paired with some pasture-to-plate Irish Ice Cream.

After filling our bellies we stepped outside again to simply sightsee and explore at a leisurely pace. We happened to be visiting on a particularly sunny Sunday afternoon, meaning that the small rocky beaches were overcrowded with tourists and locals alike trying to enjoy the good weather. We didn’t plan on swimming, but we did venture briefly down to the waters edge just to test the temperature. If you plan on taking a dip, even in the summer, it’s going to be quite cold compared to the tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico like most Texans are used to.

After buying a large portion of our souvenirs for the trip, it was time to venture back to the bus and spend the rest of the day relaxing and resting back at Dromoland castle.

Dromoland Castle Falconry

I’m a big fan of birds of prey. Back home in Texas I love watching red-shouldered hawks and various owls coast along the treetops, so I insisted we book the falconry experience for our last full day at Dromoland castle. We weren’t entirely sure how involved this experience would be, so let me tell you that this was one of the most engaging birds of prey interactions I’ve ever participated in.

Guests are first treated to a live demonstration with one of the falcons or hawks from Dromoland Castle’s on-site raptor aviary. An experienced falconer will do a hunting drill right outside the castle, swinging bait to show off the skillful flying of the fierce bird. After a few rounds of flying, our falconer/tour guide allowed the animal to snatch its meal before turning to us and doing something I hadn’t expected.

At most falconry shows, it’s generally expected that guests will only be able to look at the birds, not touch. I was delighted and surprised when the group was handed falconry gloves and instructed on how to properly let the bird perch on your arm. Needless to say, I was first in line as everyone calmly allowed the hawk to be passed around to roost and digest his meal.

After the demonstration on the grounds we were walked off to a more secluded part of the castle grounds and let into the raptor aviary, where we were immediately greeted by a large variety of caged and free roaming birds of prey. The falconry tours run with slight overlap so you will likely only meet four or five of the 12+ collection of birds. However, you have the opportunity to be up close and personal with every bird you meet.

On our tour we got in-depth facts and the chance to hold a Northern Goshawk, a Barn Owl, a Peregrine Falcon, and a Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Plus a surprise bonus visit from George, an overly curious European Robin that frequents the area). Our falconer guide was kind, informative and very passionate about the wellbeing of the birds, and she had one last surprise for us before the experience was over.

We were guided over to a forested area where anyone who was feeling up to the task could have the honor of having a bird of prey swoop down from the treetops and eat from your hand. The skilled falconer will send the bird to perch in a tree, getting some distance between the guest and the bird, before placing food in your gloved hands and letting the raptor glide down and land on your arm. I was completely awestruck getting to see these beautiful hunters in action, and anyone who isn’t fearful of birds should absolutely book this experience for themselves.

During the day Dromolands birds are brought out to roost on their own outdoor perches,
and at night they are moved back to their private cages. Video Julia Helsel

Dromoland Golf Club

Ireland is almost synonymous with golfing, and has a variety of legendary courses that attract golfers from all over the world. Now I’m no world-class golfer, but I’ve played the sport for years and I knew I wanted to play at least half a round with my dad and brother. So we were in luck when we got an open tee-time for 9 holes at Dromoland Castle’s very own 18-hole golf course.

After falconry and a quick nature walk, my mother went to try Dromoland Castle’s spa services while the other 3/4ths of our crew checked in for our tee time.  For an additional fee we rented a singular golf cart (and made my brother walk), enjoying the very modern ride which was outfitted with a GPS, distance tracker, and electronic scorecard. The well-manicured greens and healthy fairways made for the perfect golf course and as someone used to weathering Texas heat to golf, the 72-ish temperature was downright heavenly.

During our friendly family competition we were treated to vast and beautiful scenery, with the signature hole being a huge hill that overlooks the lake and castle. The natural beauty of the land washed me in serenity (which was totally not at all affected by the fact I had temporarily taken the lead). Even though it was our last day in Dromoland, I had officially checked off two important bucket list items for our stay– and still had a few more spots in Ireland to look forward to.

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Cover Photo J’vette Helsel

Julia Helsel is an editorial intern for Texas Lifestyle Magazine, a recent graduate of Texas A&M University and a lifelong resident of the Lone Star State. When she’s not traveling, she can be found reading, writing, or playing guitar.