If visiting the Irish countryside, you’d be remiss not to kiss the Blarney Stone, where legend has it one kiss will grant visitors the gift of eloquence. Built 600 years ago, the Blarney Castle is the main attraction of grounds that also include beautiful gardens, a rock close, the 1874 Blarney House and the 21-acre Blarney Lake. Not realizing the grounds included hiking, picnicking and playgrounds, the two hours we allotted for a visit were not enough. Instead, we would have preferred to make a day of Blarney.

Directly across the street is Blarney Mills, an enormous shop selling Blarney wool and Irish linens. You could spend hours — and lots of Euros — here. Send the kids and dad off to eat in one of the adjoining restaurants and try not to do too much damage.