Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle, County Cork, Republic of Ireland
Blarney Castle, now in partial ruin, is a medieval stronghold that dates from 1446. At the top of the castle lies the famous “Stone of Eloquence” better known as the “Blarney Stone”. Tourists such as ourselves may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil - an Irish “Stone of Destiny” upon which Irish kings were crowned.
Travel memory: Nobody has fallen down the sheer drop from where they kiss the stone. However, while we were there, alas, someone's camera did. Smashed below. Oh dear. Sad for that person. (See picture below... see the slits of sky at the top - that's the gap where people kiss the Blarney Stone.)
Blarney Castle, now in partial ruin, is a medieval stronghold that dates from 1446. At the top of the castle lies the famous “Stone of Eloquence” better known as the “Blarney Stone”. Tourists such as ourselves may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil - an Irish “Stone of Destiny” upon which Irish kings were crowned.
Travel memory: Nobody has fallen down the sheer drop from where they kiss the stone. However, while we were there, alas, someone's camera did. Smashed below. Oh dear. Sad for that person. (See picture below... see the slits of sky at the top - that's the gap where people kiss the Blarney Stone.)
Blarney Stone
Travel tidbit: I did not kiss the Blarney Stone. The reason for this was threefold.
One: We simply did not have time – there was such a long line up that I didn't want to waste my precious moments in it.
Two: As per the advice of wonderful fellow tour member Eleanor – formerly a nurse – it would be extremely unhygienic to kiss that stone. If you think about it, she is right on the mark.
Three: I think I already have the gift of gab – and I don't think my friends would disagree with me.
Travel tidbit: I did not kiss the Blarney Stone. The reason for this was threefold.
One: We simply did not have time – there was such a long line up that I didn't want to waste my precious moments in it.
Two: As per the advice of wonderful fellow tour member Eleanor – formerly a nurse – it would be extremely unhygienic to kiss that stone. If you think about it, she is right on the mark.
Three: I think I already have the gift of gab – and I don't think my friends would disagree with me.
Travel memory: Before I left work I knew that one of our managers had won a one week trip to Ireland. I knew that our time there would overlap. However, she and her husband were not going on a tour, rather simply driving around. Who would have thought we would bump into each other while there?
But we did.
And I have the photos to prove it.
Strange, yes – but not quite as odd as running into my old high school art teacher in Portugal which also happened, but a big coincidence nevertheless.
But we did.
And I have the photos to prove it.
Strange, yes – but not quite as odd as running into my old high school art teacher in Portugal which also happened, but a big coincidence nevertheless.
Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens including a poison garden with a number of poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricin and opium, as well as cannabis. These “physic gardens” were common in miedeval times for medicinal purposes.
Very cool was the “Bog Oak” - ancient timber which has been preserved in the bog's wet anaerobic conditions. Six to seven thousand years ago a great forest of Oak, Pine and Yew grew in Ireland, where the boglands are today. Their remains are found 4.5 – 6 metres deep in the bog.
Very cool was the “Bog Oak” - ancient timber which has been preserved in the bog's wet anaerobic conditions. Six to seven thousand years ago a great forest of Oak, Pine and Yew grew in Ireland, where the boglands are today. Their remains are found 4.5 – 6 metres deep in the bog.