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Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's oldest and most historic
castles, an ancient stronghold of the McCarthy's, Lords of Muskerry, and one of
the strongest fortresses in Munster. Blarney Castle is famous for its stone -
The Stone of Eloquence - which is traditionally believed to have the power to
bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss it. Attracting visitors from
all over the world, the castle is situated 8 km from Cork City. In the grounds
of the castle the Rock Close and gardens convey 'druidic' charm and magical
delights of centuries past.
Blarney Castle was
originally a timber hunting lodge built in the 10th century, which was replaced
by a stone castle in 1210. The present day castle was
completed by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster in 1446. Following the
Battle of the Boyne in 1690, all
Irish chiefs were stripped of
their powers and the McCarthys were again forced to leave Blarney Castle. The
Castle was sold to Sir James Jeffery's, Governor of Cork in 1703. The Castle is
now owned and managed by the Trustees of the Blarney Castle Estate.
It's tough to reach the
stone -- it's between the main castle wall and the parapet. Kissers have to lie
on their back and bend backward (and downward), holding iron bars for support.
Can you imagine kissing something that has had people's lips all over it for 500
years?
The Blarney Stone is a
stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of
Blarney. The walls of the castle are 18
feet
thick. The stone is believed to
be half of the Stone of Scone which originally belonged to Scotland.
Scottish Kings were crowned over the stone, because it was believed to have
special powers. One of the stories says that an old woman
cast a spell on the stone to reward a king
who
had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while
under the spell gave the king the ability to talk sweetly. He was able to talk
anyone into doing things. The stone was given to Cormac McCarthy by Robert the
Bruce in 1314 in return for his support in a battle.
Queen Elizabeth I wanted the Irish chiefs to agree to hold their own lands under
title from her. Cormac Teige McCarthy, the Lord of Blarney, handled her every
Royal wish with clever promises keeping loyalty to the Queen
without "giving in". Elizabeth proclaimed that McCarthy
was giving her "a lot of Blarney." This is how the
story began that if you kiss the blarney stone you will also be
able to make clever promises.
Queen Elizabeth I wanted the Irish chiefs to agree to hold their own lands under
title from her. Cormac Teige McCarthy, the Lord of Blarney, handled her every
Royal wish with clever promises keeping loyalty to the Queen
without "giving in". Elizabeth proclaimed that McCarthy
was giving her "a lot of Blarney." This is how the
story began that if you kiss the blarney stone you will also be
able to make clever promises.
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