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Blarney Castle

When people talk of tourist attractions in Ireland, a visit to Blarney Castle, around 5 miles from Cork, to kiss the Blarney Stone is never far from the conversation. Legend has it that whoever kisses the stone, which was built into the battlements of the castle in 1446, shall be rewarded with the everlasting skill of being able to flatter people, or as the Irish say ‘the gift of the gab’.

Millions of visitors to Ireland from all over the world go to see the Blarney Stone and take part in this famous ritual, as well as enjoying a tour of Blarney Castle and its gardens. The proprietors of the castle claim that world statesman and film stars have also performed the custom.

The kiss itself is not easily achieved however, with people having to climb to the top of the castle and lean backwards over the walls edge to press their lips against the stone. This practice is supervised of course, with the help of an assistant and safety gear and there have also been iron guide rails and protective crossbars fitted.

Before these safety measures were introduced, people would risk their lives trying to kiss the stone, dangling from the castle walls as others desperately clung to their ankles.

It is thought that the word Blarney derives from a meeting between Queen Elizabeth I and the Lord of Blarney, Cormac Teige McCarthy. Whilst requesting an oath of loyalty to retain occupancy of land, Queen Elizabeth I received responses from the Lord of Blarney which amounted to subtle diplomacy, promising the Queen loyalty without surrendering land. Queen Elizabeth I declared that McCarthy was giving her ‘a lot of Blarney’ which gave rise to the legend and Blarney was thought of as being able to offer ‘empty flattery’.

The origins and traditions surrounding the stone take on a number of guises and it is up to those who visit the castle to decide which folklore they wish to accept. So if you’re a visitor to Ireland and fancy seeing more of the Emerald Isle, venture out of the capital city using one of the excellent Dublin car hire services and head for Cork and on to Blarney Castle so you can say you have experienced the world famous ritual of kissing the Blarney Stone.