Blarney and the Famous Blarney Stone

All done in Dublin, so back to the airport to pick up our car and then drive to Blarney for a smooching session with a popular stone. This time we rented our van from SIXT, I’ve been a member of theirs for about 10 years and usually find them to be quite competitive. Once again we do the CDW insurance dance and after my wallet is a little lighter, head out for our adventure.

Blarney is about 3.5 hrs from Dublin on mostly motorways. Sightseeing is somewhat boring but it gets us there as fast as possible so we can enjoy the castle and grounds and have a little lunch before heading to Galway. So there are as many stories about how the Blarney Stone became the best kiss in Ireland as there are Irishmen. Some say the stone was the Lia Fail or ‘Fatal Stone’, used as an oracular throne of Irish kings – a kind of Harry Potter-like ‘sorting hat’ for kings. It was also said to be the deathbed pillow of St Columba on the island of Iona. Legend says it was then removed to mainland Scotland, where it served as the prophetic power of royal succession, the Stone of Destiny.

When Cormac MacCarthy, King of Munster, sent five thousand men to support Robert the Bruce in his defeat of the English at Bannockburn in 1314, a portion of the historic Stone was given by the Scots in gratitude – and returned to Ireland.

Others say it may be a stone brought back to Ireland from the Crusades – the ‘Stone of Ezel’ behind which David hid on Jonathan’s advice when he fled from his enemy, Saul. A few claim it was the stone that gushed water when struck by Moses.

Whatever the truth of its origin, it is said a witch saved from drowning revealed its power to the MacCarthys who shared this with the world. (Thanks for the background – Blarney Castle and Gardens)

Now for the smooch. One may think that the Stone is at the base of the castle where you can easily bend over and give it a lip-lock, nope! You may think that it is a keystone for some arch leading into a great dining hall or kings chambers, nope! The Stone is actually at the top of the castle, hanging over a battlement about 400ft above the ground. Oh, and you have to hang upside down to give it a little smoochie. At least they don’t hold you by your ankles anymore and there are bars that keep you from falling through. They do rush you through, no time for conversation with the Stone, like “where you from”, “what’s your sign”, “how long you been stoned?”.  Whoever thought this up is not only enjoying a good income but laughing their keester off watching all the tourists try to kiss this piece of bluestone.

The Stone is at the top!

After recovering from this romantic interlude one needs to walk through the castle. It’s in great condition and has more to it than just the Stone. Also, pretty good coffee shop. Cost of the castle self-guided tour is 13EU, 11EU for over 60.

The toilets are the three chutes down the center of the building