Running Late in Ireland to Kiss the Blarney Stone 

I was getting claustrophobic just watching you go up those short stairs… Thanks for bringing us along with y’all! Given a choice, it would be a big NOPE for me…

Couldn’t bring myself to hang backwards a kiss a communal stone. I was totally grossed out by potential germies. And that was pre Covid. No way now and those tight spaces. Ahhh. But I sure enjoyed watching your adventure. Thank you for the entertainment. I appreciate your sense of humor Mr. Tony. Well done.

Pretty sure I'd opt out of the Blarney Stone experience. I'm just a bit claustrophobic and watching this made me anxious! Thanks for sharing with us!

Turns out I don’t need to do this after all. 😬 Thank you for filming the whole thing!

Tony thanks for showing this. I was cringing watching your climb to the top of the Blarney castle. I’m highly claustrophobic and this IS NOT going on my bucket list. 🇨🇦

Tony, When we kissed the Blarney stone, the guides explained the reason the stairs were so narrow . It was for defensive purposes. All they had to do was kill the first attacker and the stairs would be blocked until they removed the that person and basically all they had to do was keep killing the fiirst soldier and that wouldn't require that many people to defend the stairs.

Thank you so much for letting me tag along on your excursion... I now know that kissing the stone is NOT something I need to do 😉 your videos are a huge help & it's great to see real adventures! Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!

Kissing the blarney stone is supposed to bless you with "the gift of gab" You're good Tony. Already gifted in that area!

Tony, I don't think of myself as claustrophobic but your experience would make me think twice about getting stuck in those narrow stairs with that oh-so-slow moving line of humanity. Better you than me. Good video, very informative and entertaining as always. Thanks.

If there were ever 4 people who don’t need to to kiss the Blarney Stone it would be you all…….you are all very eloquent already!

Oh my goodness. I found myself breathing heavy for you. I dont know if i could be so brave. Good job Tony!! ❤

Brings back wonderful memories of my first trip to Ireland and visiting Blarney Castle. It was in the mid 1980s and I was about 32 and traveling on a bus tour with my mother. She didn’t climb up to the top but I did and kissed the stone! It was a great trip and we met so many nice people on our tour. And wow, Ireland is one heck of a beautiful country!

We did the British Isles cruise in 2014 on the Ruby Princess. For Cobh, we were lucky enough that our tour bus filled up quickly and we were the first to leave, directly to Blarney Castle. It was pouring rain when we got there, so my wife passed on the Blarney Stone kissing. Being of Irish descent, I had no choice but to do it. There we no line up at all at the castle so it was straight up to the top! So now imagine climbing those stone stairs when they're soaking wet. Got to the top, there was one couple ahead of me.I kissed the stone, they took the obligatory (and very expensive) picture and down I went. I met my wife at the Blarney Woolen Mill before she had spent the family fortune - although I was sorely tempted to buy a tweed jacket.

Thank you Tony! Ireland is on my bucket list. I think I will just enjoy the gardens. I keep forgetting but being reminded almost daily I'm in my senior years. I am too claustrophobic to handle those stairs. Thank you for SHOWING me I couldn't do it. I'm rather stubborn and if I'm told I can't do something I'll want to do it even more. It looked like everyone had a great time. I really enjoy watching real videos of travel. Television shows are just too edited and doesn't really give the real feeling of the experience. Keep the excursion videos coming along with the cruise news. 😀

Thank you for videoing the climb to the Blarney Stone. I know now that it is a definitely NOPE for me! Fear of heights AND claustrophobia-- that would be the perfect nightmare for me!

Thanks so much for sharing this. Now I know to just visit the castle grounds and not worry about joining the line. Between being on the bigger size, and my daughter having mobility issues, we will skip the climb. Thanks for sacrificing your body for us lol

I think the mistake was booking with a vendor who wouldn’t wait a couple of minutes for your party even though they were an hour early and had plenty of time.

No way, not doing that climb... So happy you did it Tony & gang... Looks like great weather so far... great video!

I don’t even know you but IM SO Proud Of You! And Everyone. I got claustrophobic just watching the climb. My daughter has been to Blarney Castle and climbed it and she is a young 30 and said it is pretty intense. She said she clung to that rope all the way up. This vlog is so good Tony!

wow, that was a true labor of viewer-love. thank you for going for it and giving that wall a kiss! I just watched my sister do it and opted not to. We had no wait at that time. Also, Kinsale is awesome. Yes, it is considered the #1 foodie place in Ireland. We've stayed ther twice. You will love to return. xoxox thanks, Tony and friends! PS: we are in Italy now watching you for sure. We wouldn't miss it. ;~)

Tony, love the content with Don, Dee and Jay. Interesting to see the different perspectives and analysis of the same event. It's great having Don video your special moments. GREAT job climbing the stair and kissing the stone. Have you ever considered how important it is to document travel for the plus sized? You provide reassurance for people to know if it's possible. Thanks again for all that you do!

I love that you four are doing this together.

I love it when you meet up with other RU-vidrs. Great content.

Congrats for making it up those steps! Thank you for taking us along!

Last Sept we visited the Blarney Castle and had the same decision, to climb the castle for over an hour or tour the grounds. We toured the grounds and had a great time. Thank you for showing us what we missed and that we made the right decision for us.

Wow. That is not at all what I thought a visit to the castle would be like. I thought you would be able to just walk through and explore. Standing and walking in a line up for an hour or more doesn’t seem fun to me 🙁. You guys have a great attitude though despite the unexpected challenges in your day. Thank you for showing us the “real deal”. Now I know I will skip the blarney stone 😂

I was there one year in March and there wasn’t a wait. I just threw a kiss to the stone.

😂 my takeaway from all this...don't be late and, "Big feet and little steps"!😅

Even before covid I have never been eager to kiss that communal stone! 😂

Being from Cork, it's really interesting to see the visuals from a liner coming into port. It's great to see you've enjoyed our highlights, I'm sure we have a lot to offer...

😱 You just saved me a bucket list Blarney Stone kiss! 😉 Y’all were awesome! Well done!

It’s good that you’re showing the physical piece of the Blarney Castle. I’ve literally been there and I have blanked on the steepness, the tight spaces, and whatnot. It’s good for people to know what they’re getting in to :-) 100% would do it again!

Looks like they had a Vaaan tastic day! Let's talk about it 😮

This journey up the castle stairs is hilarious! Listening to Jay say "Oh dear!" And complain about having big feet on little steps is so cute.

My claustrophobia kicked in just watching y’all!😮

Thanks for showing me that kissing the stone is something I’d never do! And that’s ok! Thanks for taking us along Tony!

I visited Blarney Castle many years ago and kissed the stone! I agree that Ireland is a very beautiful country! Very green!

Thanks for the video Tony!. I had no idea the Blarney Stone was on-top of a castle, navigating in tight quarters, and needed to flip upside down, with head tilted back to make-out with the stone. It looked like a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list item. However, I'm a bit claustrophic, any might pass on this. But, I enjoyed the video with Don as well too!

Wed drove all around ireland in 2021. We went in November and it was great. No crowds and no tour buses on the roads. Kissed the Blarney Stone with a mask on during COVID. I waited a total of 10 minutes from the front of the castle to the stone.

What an awesome combo of people, Dee and Jay, Don, and you.

What an interesting job that Blarney Stone guy has!

I was to have been on a transatlantic cruise that included a couple stops in Ireland, but Covid canceled that. Before the closures, I was researching things to do, but a video or two showing the Blarney Stone experience definitely told me I would be much happier skipping that and exploring the grounds instead. Kudos to you all for the guts and stamina you displayed!

Thanks for showing us what it is like to do the Blarney Stone thing---we were there a few years ago and did not do it. Seeing the video we are happy with that decision! Love following along on your travels.

Tony, we aren't into cruising but we truly enjoy your stories and observations. We love traveling by car and train. Keep up the great work - Thanks!

My family arrived in the Port of Philadelphia in 1893. They traveled from Cork Ireland. I hope to someday return there so thank you for your video!!!

thank you so much for sharing! I don't know if my claustrophia and joints and my size would let me up there. I had to keep chuckly hearing Jay going "oh dear" "oh dear"

Great video! Now I know where the "nope I'm not going up" bench is 😂. Thanks, Tony!

Encircled Ireland on the P&O Oriana--4 ports--Hired a private car and guide at each--waiting w no problem each time--all four excellent -we had a planned itinerary picked ahead of time Avoided traps like the stone and did what we wanted--A choice well made--Have to give credit to my sister for all arrangements--

Good Morning, Tony!!! ☀️ The Paddy Wagon!! 🚐 too funny. 😂

Kissing the Blarney Stone is the biggest con in Ireland, thank goodness they don't charge to do it. You should have toured the grounds. Besides you have the gift of the Blarney already.

While watching, I felt like I was there with you.😊

“This may not be for the claustrophobic “…Right before you said that I was already thinking…yeah, if I ever go there, I’ll enjoy the beautiful grounds 😂

Thx, Tony for taking us along! Beautiful day. My sis has kissed the Blarney Stone, but after seeing your video, I think I’d poop out. 😂 I t was fun watching your group. Thx again!

Loved that the ship pier was right at the train station so we were quickly in town to explore for just a couple dollars. Plenty to see in Cobb.

Here’s hoping that the Blarney Stone brings you a lifetime of good luck. Nice video Tony.

I felt I let myself down when I chose not to attempt the Blarney Stone last year. Thank you so much for showing how arduous it is. Vindicated by your doing it for me! Great in depth video - more like this please.

Tony and Don. Seriously, I am so grateful that you did this so I don't have to.

Definitely Skyline chili! I about fell over when you asked that couple from Cincinnati which chili they preferred. Very quick mind, you have! I’m always amazed at how far that chili battle reaches.

Missed the bus for an excursion in St Maarten once. Also a third party excursion. The confusion was ship time vs local time which is one hour difference. We missed the bus by 15-20 min. The third party tour company loaded us up in another van and took us to the first stop to catch the rest of the group. No charge. Now that’s service!

Tony I was born and raised on The West Coast of Ireland, sadly I’m now living and working in Canada. I’ve been following you now for close to 2years and this is your best ever video. Your little group seemed to live Cork, Kinsale and The Blarney Castle. Looking forward to what you get up to in Dublin⚓️🚢☘️☘️

Well now I know that is OFF the bucket list. Thanks for letting me see it without going cause I would never make it in those stairs

Thanks for the memories.Enjoy Dublin .Looking forward to your next videos.Paul

Walk the grounds! They are so much better than kissing a damn stone leaning backwards and upside down. The grounds are BEAUTIFUL - Cave, Fairy Gardens - just amazing. Also, there's a train from Cobh to Cork and a local bus to the town of Blarney, for the frugal.

Thanks for the memories! It’s been a while since we’ve been to Ireland.

First time watching,Tony, and found your video very interesting. We’re doing the same cruise in August and had decided before we watched your video that we wouldn’t do the Blarney Stone. Now that decision is confirmed. Thank you

OMG I was having a panic attack just watching you!! I could never.

I was there in 1979 when I was 21! Glad to see that not much has changed! there was an old man at the stone and I said back then I cannot believe that old man does this everyday. Can you imagine all the germs on that stone! Ha! BTW it is said to give a person the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness.

A good tube of chapstick really comes in handy with an excursion like this.

Thanks for this! We are getting ready for this cruise in a about 85 days. I want to do it all, but this is giving me a way to prioritize which I would rather do.

Blarney Stone will be a no no.for us. But thanks for letting us see it through you!

All my most favorite RU-vidrs in one place!

The spiralling staircase in the castle remind me of a trip I made the the Wallace Monument in Stirling There are 246 + small stone steps you need to climb all of them in a circular motion to get to the top...not for the faint hearted!

I'm terrified of heights and once I got up there, I just could not force myself to lay down and hang over the edge to kiss the stone. That was 23 years ago and I've never regretted backing out lol, but I do often wish for the gift of gab!

those tight spots creep me out! I am about the same size as you Brother. Well done, you did us proud!

We decided to walk around and take in the sights. We were told about 2 hour wait. Glad you made it. Cheers!

thanks I now have come as close as I will ever get to the blarney stone

We were there in September and decided not to make the top of the castle to see the Blarney stone. Watching your video made me realize that we definitely made the right choice as that climb was intense! Thanks for sharing Tony.

Great show, Tony! Always enjoy your adventures and even moreso when you're with Don, Dee & Jay! Ireland looks beautiful!

I’m grateful to you for doing this and recording it. I now know that I WILL NOT EVER go kiss the Blarney Stone! I am not generally claustrophobic but I think I would have had a panic attack on the last 10 minutes or so of that climb!

I was there at the tail end of Covid, relatively empty, with no lines. The stairs are treacherous. Since I was blessed with the gift of gab, I opted out of the climb and the kissing part and enjoyed the gardens and Blarney castle. Your weather looks beautiful.

Tony B.,can't believe you didn't stop and have a pint.....

Nice job Tony! Powering through and making it to the top. Strong work!

Oh dear...I am shaking and sweating watching yous. Thanks for the trip! I promise not to do this excursion!

Less than halfway through this video and I'm claustrophobic already!

Loved the shout out to Cincinnati and Skyline! Thanks for taking me to the Blarney Stone, now I don’t need to test my claustrophobia by visiting😳😂

❤being in Cork and kissing the Blarney Stone is the BEST thing you could ever DO ‼️💚💚💚

thank you for this video! If I ever go I will do the gardens instead.

I went & kissed the Blarney Stone back in 1988. Thanks for sharing. I know I was a lot thinner then but did have claustrophobia. They gave you a certificate back then, that said you kissed the stone. 🍀🍀🍀🍀

LOOK at the weather you got - this isn’t the norm for our little corner of the world, ha! Glad you brought the sunshine with you for exploring! 😊

Hello. We are such fans of your channel. You inspired my wife and I to start our own channel. Adventures in Empty Nesting. We have no idea what we are doing but were having a blast nonethess. Just know that what you do is very much appreciated.

Four of my favorite vloggers together! Got to love it!

I would have recommended if you were in Cobh you should have taken time and enjoyed that fantastic city. Next time we will be sure to spend much more time there and less in Cork, although some interesting things to see in Cork. Great video, fun seeing all of you together.

I did it about 18 years ago in my late 50’s. We did not have that kind of a wait, thank goodness! Good on y’all for doing it.

That was so cute! None of you in the group really needed a gift of gab. You already have it!

Too claustrophobic for me to make that climb, although kissing the Blarney Stone a gazillion others just kissed would have been a hard pass as well! 😂😂

No thank you! But I’m impressed and glad the four of you had the opportunity to give a rock a kiss! 😘

Great video. Going there next May. The climb aaaah No, we'll site see all around it. Very good info, Thanks.

Went right to the Blarney Stone. Wanted to do it! Saw the way my back would have to bend and opted out. Backs are not meant to bend that way

Sure enjoying ur videos on this cruise . I’m learning a lot…. Things I already knew, but a good refresher course never hurt ……

Greatly appreciate your insight into the real deal. Beautiful Ireland!