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Blarney Castle was originally a timber hunting
lodge built in the 10th century, which was replaced
by a stone castle in 1210. The present day construction
was completed by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster
in 1446. The Castle remained the ancestral stronghold
of the McCarthy family until the arrival of Oliver
Cromwell with cannon guns in 1646.
Fifteen years later with the arrival of King Charles
II on the English throne saw the return of the McCarthys
to the Castle. Following the Battle of the Boyne in
1690, all Irish chiefs were stripped of their powers
and the McCarthys were again forced to leave Blarney
Castle. The Castle was sold to Sir James Jefferyes,
Governor of Cork in 1703. The Castle is now owned
and managed by the Trustees of the Blarney Castle
Estate.
The world famous Blarney Stone is situated high up
in the battlements of the castle. Follow one of the
several long, stone spiral staircases up to the top
and enjoy the spectacular views of the lush green
Irish countryside, Blarney House and The Village of
Blarney. The stone is believed to be half of the Stone
of Scone which originally belonged to Scotland.
Scottish Kings were crowned over the stone, because
it was believed to have special powers. The stone
was given to Cormac McCarthy by Robert
the Bruce in 1314 in return for his support
in the Battle of Bannockburn(
as seen on the Hollywood Movie "Braveheart").
Queen Elizabeth I wanted Irish chiefs to agree to
occupy their own lands under title from her. Cormac
Teige McCarthy, the Lord of Blarney, handled every
Royal request with subtle diplomacy, promising loyalty
to the Queen without "giving in". Elizabeth proclaimed
that McCarthy was giving her
"a lot of Blarney", thus giving rise to the
legend.
You too can acquire the gift of eloquence by kissing
the stone but be warned !! there is no known cure
!!!
You may be talking Blarney
for the rest of your Life and into the
next Life
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Come to Ireland and Kiss the Blarney
Stone !
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