Terrible news from Ireland: those of us who thought we now possessed a wonderful way with words are – shocking though it may seem – victims of a callous and centuries-old con. We contorted ourselves and risked our necks for nothing. People world-wide are falling silent as I write.
Why? Because the very awkwardly-placed Blarney Stone, which millions of us have literally bent over backwards to kiss, is not the stone we thought it was. It’s just some useless old piece of rock. This is the considered opinion of freelance archaeological specialist, Mark Samuel, and freelance writer, Kate Hamlyn, who have written a book on Blarney Castle, to which the stone has drawn some 300,000-plus visitors annually for many, many years. That's an awful lot of hopeful lips. Read more about this very sorry story by visiting TripStar.
Photo by brosner
But, but, but … there remains a glimmer of hope. Samuel and Hamlyn’s conclusions have been summarily dismissed by the castle’s owners. And anyway, it doesn’t matter all that much, because even if you come away from Blarney inarticulate, you can bask in the knowledge that you’ve kissed part of a stone on which Scotland’s kings were crowned. Or you might have kissed Jacob’s Pillow. Or the stone which poured forth water for Moses. Or the stone King David hid behind. Take your pick.
Blarney Castle is very near
Cork, so if you’re visiting that most charming Irish town, you’d be mad not to make time for a side-trip. You never know: it could transform you from tongue-tied to talkative in one backward bend. And it’s only 8 kilometres down the road.
Even if you’re based at a Dublin Hotel during your time in Ireland, you can take a day out to visit Blarney; there are various trips available. Can you think of a better place to celebrate St Patrick’s Day?
And I'm not finished with you yet. It’s also worth noting that Blarney Castle has more to offer than a single famous stone. The building itself dates back (in varying forms) to the 900s. A couple of hundred metres away is magnificent Blarney House, one of Ireland’s great country homes. The gardens are glorious, and the surrounding Blarney Estate is an attraction in its own right, complete with haunted river and ghostly herd of cows. There’s also the mysterious Rock Close, where you’ll find an ancient sacrificial altar, Druid’s cave, giant Dolmen, witch’s stone and Wishing Steps.
Oh, there’s plenty to do at Blarney. Forget Samuel and Hamlyn: long may the kissing continue.
Sláinte. See you again soon.
Photo by lawmurray