A Little Bit of Blarney!

The world famous Blarney Stone is at the top of Blarney Castle, and can only be reached by climbing up some 100 winding stone steps, in the same way that the lords and ladies of the Castle climbed up to their dining hall and their bed chambers, for centuries.  The Castle is over 600 years old, and was the ancient seat of the MacCarthys of Muskerry.

The present owners of the Castle, the Colthursts, live in nearby Blarney House, which can also be visited by arrangement.

I took some visitors to the Castle during the week, and even though the climb was slow because of the many visitors, the view from the top was worth it.   Most people who visit the castle want to kiss the Blarney Stone, and this is supposed to give one the ‘gift of the gab’  or the gift of eloquence.    Winston Churchill, who was known as a very eloquent speaker, is rumoured to have kissed the Blarney Stone, which might, or might not, have something to do with his eloquence!

Blarney Castle, Cork

Kissing the Blarney Stone is not as simple as it sounds though.   The  stone is located on the outside wall, below the battlements, and to kiss it you have to lie on your back, and lean backwards until you reach the stone and give it a big kiss!   It sounds daunting, but is quite safe, and there is someone to help you to get back on your feet again after you have received this amazing gift of eloquence!

The Castle has many other attractions, as it is set in over 60 acres of parklands, which include gardens, avenues, streams and trees, there is even a Witches Stone and a Witches Cauldron bubbling away in the Kitchen, a Fairy Glade and some Wishing Steps.   It is a very magical place with a lake, a fern garden, a poison garden, and old stables that have now been converted to tea rooms.

Getting ready to kiss!

Blarney or Baloney?

The battlements and the stone

The Great Hall

Winston Churchill

Old tower

The dungeons

 

By Hook or By Crook

Hook Head Lighthouse

Hook Head Lighthouse in County Wexford is one of the oldest lighthouses in Ireland.   It is about 800 years old, and still looking remarkably well for such an old bird, though I am sure some major renovations and updating have been done over the years.    If you get there during opening times (which unfortunately we didn’t) you can get a guided tour, and climb the 115 steps to the top, for a great view and an insight into the workings.    There are guided tours, military re-enactments and of course friendly ghost tours – what would an old building be without it’s friendly ghost!

The phrase  ‘By Hook or By Crook‘ is said to have its origins in this part of the world, and when Cromwell invaded Ireland, he had his sights on Loftus Hall, which lies between Hook Lighthouse and the village of Crook, and the story goes that he wanted this place ‘by hook or by crook (by any means possible)