 | ||||||
| ||||||
The Blarney Stone
The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence (blarney). The castle was built in 1446 by Cormac Laidhiv McCarthy (Lord of Muskerry) -- its walls are 18 feet thick (necessary to thwart attacks by Cromwellians and William III's troops). Thousands of tourists a year still visit the castle.
The origins of the Blarney Stone's magical properties aren't clear, but one legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly.
It's tough to reach the stone -- it's between the main castle wall and the parapet. Kissers have to lie on their back and bend backward (and downward), holding iron bars for support. Can you imagine kissing something that has had people's lips all over it for 500 years? Yuck!
May the dust from your wagon wheels blind the eyes of your enemies. -Irish Blessing
Was Saint Patrick Irish? Actually, no. Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in 390 in England. He was captured by Irish hooligans and taken to Ireland as a youth, where he spent several years in slavery. He eventually was either freed or escaped and returned to England to study for the priesthood. In 435, he traveled back to Ireland to organize the Christian church. He was made the patron saint of Ireland for this work in converting Ireland to Christianity. March 17th is the day of his death.
