Family Day Out - Blarney Castle & Gardens ♥

On Wednesday my boys and I had one of our family days out and once again we went to a historic site, this time being Blarney Castle and it's amazing gardens. Blarney Castle is famous around the world for the Blarney stone which people come from far and wide to kiss it and gain the gift of the gab, well I already talk to much so I thought I better not give it a kiss and save people's ears! The castle grounds boast so many interesting places such as a fairy garden, fern garden and poison garden which contains lots of strange and wonderful plants such as salvia, wolfsbane, mandrake (yes, like in Harry Potter!) opium and cannabis. We walked around the whole grounds and had so much fun. It was a bit of trial and error working out where we probably shouldn't have taken the buggy... *cough* Fern Garden *cough* but hey, we had a laugh and Tyler Lee found the whole thing positively hilarious but really, you shouldn't take a buggy to a place with dozens of step, small stone steps, ever. Spring has most definitely sprung in the castle gardens and the place is awash with gorgeous colour, Jacek couldn't stop taking pictures of all the blooms, I was particularly interested in the bluebells and daffodils - my favourite spring flowers and as you can see from the pictures above I had a field day taking pictures of my little fairy man amongst all the yellow daffodils, I seriously love these pictures, I wish I could frame them all.

We took a long walk around the grounds and the lake where a lone swan came right up to us, I bolted before it had time to attack me - childhood memories, before ending up at the playground which we gladly had all to ourselves. My little babe loved being on the swing and wouldn't get out of it, his best friend PupPup joined him on the swing too, it was so adorable, my heart melted, a lot. We even got a family selfie by the swings, we never get pictured as a three so it was fun to get this shot, I'm so glad we're all looking at the camera. My heart melted even more when my babe took my hand and began to walk along next to me. He's not walking yet without holding onto things and this was the first time he ever wanted to hold my hand and walk alongside me, I was so proud that I nearly cried - super emotional mama for sure. Days like this are to be treasured.

Blarney Castle and it's grounds is a must-see place if you ever travel to County Cork, it is truly breathtaking and so much fun, there's so much to see and lots of places for children to explore and run around and of course it boasts a lovely little playground and picnic area. I will say though that the downside is the price - €12 for adults is very steep in my opinion, it's €5 for children and luckily Tyler Lee was free as he's an infant but €24 for two adults to explore a national heritage site is outrageous. The cafe's are quite expensive too - a cup of coffee, a bottle of lucozade and a chicken and pesto sandwich cost €10! I would suggest bringing a nice homemade picnic to enjoy on the grounds and if we go back during the summer we shall definitely be doing that. I highly recommend a visit to Blarney Castle and it's beautiful grounds, it has everything - history, beauty, legend and some fabulous photographic opportunities!

If you would like to see more places around Ireland that my family and I have visited then click here.