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Blarney castle, which lies about four miles to the
north-east of Cork City, is one of the most famous buildings in Ireland, Blarney Castle is
famous for its stone,while visiting Blarney Castle you may want to kiss the Blarney Stone
and get the gift of gab or talk "Blarney" The stone itself is set in the wall
below the battlements and to kiss it, to kiss the Blarney Stone, you must bend over
backward and lower yourself down about two feet at the top of the castle whilst holding
onto a metal railing, but you are assisted by a castle employee who adds some reassurance
for nervous visitors not that there is any need to worry.
**One point though the steps to the battlements can be
slippery so make sure you wear trainers or non slip shoes when visiting the castle and the
grounds are huge so comfortable non slip shoes are definitely recommended.
There are a few different versions of how the stone
came to be placed in the battlements of Blarney Castle but the most likely is the fact
that it is half of the stone of Scone which resides in Westminister Abbey in England and
was brought back from the crusades.It is said to have been given to the King of Munster by
Robert the Bruce as a thank you for sending troops to assist him in the battle of
Bannockburn. Some time later the stone was then incorporated into the Battlements of the
present castle.
It is not known exactly how the belief that the stone
could give the gift of eloquence or the "gift of the gab began , but it may have
grown from the antics of the Chief of Muskerry or Lord Blarney as he was known in Queen
Elizabeth's time. It is said that Queen Elizabeth I came up with the phrase
"talking a load of Blarney"due to frustration with Lord Blarney's ability to
talk endlessly for hours upon hours without ever actually saying much and never actually
agreeing to her demands.He had constant answers for everything without ever actually
making sense. The fact that the Queen couldn't get him to agree to anything meant he was
able to string both sides along and stay safe from both the Irish and the English .This
caused the Queen rant at him your talk is `All Blarney',but she must have been some bit
bemused by him as she tolerated him for quite a long time.
The building of the castle is attributed to Dermot
MacCarthy in 1446.The castle is set just south of where the river Martin joins the Blarney
river,and the view from the top of the castle is breathtaking the view from the top alone
is worth the climb even if you do not have the courage to kiss the stone.The spiral
staircases are narrow and steep and were used to protect the occupants because only one
soldier at a time could climb up the spiral staircase.Also trying to fight your way
upwards on the tight staircase would have been next to impossible what with your armour
and heavy sword etc. The narrow windows are typical of castles at this time offering a
shooting point for the defenders of the castle to shoot arrows at the enemy below whilst
providing excellent protection for the defending soldiers, it would have been extremely
hard for an enemy soldier to shoot an arrow through these windows from below. The castle
walls themselves are over 18 foot thick in places and offered an impenetrable defence
against invaders before the introduction of gunpowder of course which changed the whole
nature of battle.The castle was also built at the top of a small cliff face making it even
more difficult for invaders.
Check out our brand stunning new family crest tapestries.This is the gift
you have been looking for click here please!
The grounds around Blarney Castle are
well kept and very beautiful and worth the price of admission by themselves.It is an
excellent place for photographs so bring plenty of film.Many Irish couples after getting
married go to Blarney Castle to take their wedding photographs so don't be surprised if
you see beautiful brides on the grounds.You may also want to take a picnic as the grounds
have many beautiful spots to have a picnic. While walking the grounds, you can see
lots of beautiful trees and plants ,a druidic circle made of stones rock close, as well as
a picturesque river another good spot to have a picnic.. The Rock Close is said to be a
Druid garden and a place where they worshipped and some say sacrificed in pre-christian
days.
Blarney Village
The village of Blarney is charming it is one of the last remaining intact estate villages
in Ireland complete with it's town square.where many a lazy day is spent now days playing
football or having a pint of Guinness. It is literally an extension of the Castle from the
old days.
In the eighteenth century a landlord created a village adjacent to his estate for his
workers, supplying the basic needs for housing for the workers and their families and
creating industry so that they would prosper themselves. Blarney Village was originally an
estate village and if you visit you can see this easily by the clever and charming way it
is laid out.Todays Blarney Village has many pubs and restaurants that offer excellent
atmosphere and great food but add to the character of the village rather than take away
from it.
Opening times of the castle are below and you will find beb and breakfast
info for Blarney in our links section
Give Someone A Gift Of Leprechaun Club Membership For St Patricks
Day.There Is No Other St Patricks Day Gift More Unique !
Click Here
More of the history of Blarney Here Blarney
Woollenmills Irish Shop information.
Click here for Blarney
Woollenmills Page
www.blarneycastle.net
www.blarneycastle.org
www.blarneygift.com www.blarneygifts.com
www.blarneyirishcrystal.net www.blarneymailorder.com
www.blarneymailorder.net www.blarneystonegifts.com
www.blarneyvillage.com www.blarneyvillage.net
www.blarneyvillagecollection.com
www.blarneyvillagecollection.net
www.leprechaunclub.com www.theblarneycastle.com www.theblarneycastle.net
www.theblarneyshop.net www.theblarneyvillagecollection.com
www.theblarneyvillagecollection.net
The Leprechaun Club™ ,The
Official Leprechaun Club™ ,The Official Irish Leprechaun Club™ , The
Irish Leprechaun Club™ ,The Leprechaun Club Of Ireland™, The Official
Leprechaun Club Of Ireland™,Murphy The Irish Leprechaun™, The Blarney Village
Collection™ and Blarney Village™ are all trade marks of Patrick Martin
Hayes no unauthorized use allowed. All content is also subject to copyright restrictions.
(C) Martin Hayes 2003 all rights reserved.
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