The Town In Ireland Rick Steves Avoids Visiting At All Costs
By Jenna Busch
VACATIONS
Kissing the legendary Blarney Stone found in County Cork, Ireland, is supposed to bless those who do with the "gift of gab," but travel expert Rick Steves isn't impressed.
According to his website, the tourist attraction is Steves' least favorite place in Ireland, recommending visitors explore other places instead, like the town of Dingle.
He explains, "The best thing about this lame sight is watching a cranky man lower lemming-like tourists over the edge, belly up and head back, to kiss the stone."
Tourist crowds aren't the only issue. Steves added, "After a day of tour groups mindlessly climbing up here to perform this ritual, the stone is slathered with spit and lipstick."
While the stone gets about 40,000 kisses a year, potential visitors should note that the castle uses a World Health Organization-approved cleanser after each kiss as of 2020.
If you plan on visiting, tickets are around $24 for adults over 16, around $19 for students and seniors, $11 for kids 6 to 16, and free for kids under 6.