We have not been getting around early, but after a quick lunch we headed to the bus stop for a trip to Blarney. Jan remembers kissing the Blarney Stone 45 years ago on a business trip, and has been gabbing ever since. Time for Richard to enjoy it too!
By the late 19th century stories and rhymes were popular describing this stoned magical qualities:“There is a stone there that whoever kisses, Oh he never misses to grow elequent.”
The word “Blarney” meaning flattery and beguiling talk comes from the beginning of the seventeenth century when Irish Gaelic Lords defied the English crown in the Nine Years War (1594-1603), the Lord of Blarney tried to play middle ground pledging loyalty to the crown while also supporting the rebellion. Queen Elizabeth I became annoyed with the ambiguous communications as “it was all Blarney.”
5.16 miles for the day; 67 degrees, 71%humidity.
Click here to view Richard’s ReLive video: https://www.relive.com/view/vdvm4njGXNq
The double-decker bus looks to be an interesting ride, but is actually pretty rough considering the speeds with which it whips around the narrow roads.
Our bus stopped directly across from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, so we stopped in to visit.
The Woolen Mills were an 18th century textile mill expanded in 1824 to employ over 800 people. The mill closed in 1973 but is now operational as a visitor center and gift shop offering many temptations.
Blarney Castle, built around 1446, is a tower house of four or five stories with chambers and smaller rooms on each floor. It may have had at least one stone-vaulted ceiling, both to keep the tower structurally sound and as a firebreak. The tower’s 18-foot thick walls gradually sloped inward as the rise.
The north wall is imposing built on an 8-meter cliff with walls graduated inward. The ariel window marks the earl’s bedchamber.
Atop the east wall, the spot now known where one can kiss the Blarney Stone is now protected by iron bars.
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Richard says goodbye as he prepares to climb the tower. .
There is one manager and one photographer ready to help. Each person lies on his or her back and arches down below to kiss the stone a few feet out. The photographer immortalizes the moment, available for purchase below in the gift shop.
From below, it is possible to see each person getting into position and holding the iron bars.
This is Richard’s official photograph getting the gift of gab.
Down below, we investigated the castle gardens. Over the years, castle lore covered many witches, Druids, and faeries stories.
The Dolmen may be a prehistoric tomb portal with a giant rock. Perhaps the giant stone sometimes rocks?
The wishingbsteps are attributed to the Blarney witch who has taken firewood for her kitchen, and must grant wishes in return. Visitors must walk down and back up the steps with eyes closed, perhaps walking backwards, thinking only of a wish, for that wish to come true within a year.
The witches kitchen may have been home to the first Irish cave dwellers.Legend has it that the Blarney witch lights her fire every night for warmth and to escape from the witch’s stone.
The witch stone. Supposedly the witch is released from the stone after dark.
Druid rocks and a sacrificial altar are remnants of the Druid culture. Anyone who stands inside the Druid circle is protected from spirits who wish to harm you.
Snakes played a central role in many of the mythical rites. Thus it is that St. Patrick was keen to banish snakes from Ireland.
The faerie glade below is home to the miischievious and playful charming faeries. They have been here for eons so it is our responsibility to keep them happy and safe.
Faerie trinkets to keep them happy.
Back in Cork, we have been eying Moody, a tapas restaurant, but it has always been booked. Richard scored a reservation for our last night in Cork.
We ordered three small plates to share: Brie Al Horno topped by a wild berry coulis, croquetas de jamon iberico y queso manchego, and pera caramelizada con queso azul. All were wonderful!
Our hotel had a top-floor restaurant and bar, so we went up for one last dessert celebration of Cork.
10 Responses
Just amazing! The video link didn’t work but the pictures and story were beautiful.
The relive link was my snafu. I was waiting for Richard to finish but was sleepy and I thought I left the post in a draft state but I published by mistake. If you give it another look, you can see Richard’s humorous video.
Got a great picture of Wendy kissing the Blarney Stone but even back when didn’t feel limber enough to lay down and lean back. Great that you can still do it. Keep getting drawn to your wonderful (prepared for you) meals. And happy birthday Richard!
It is great fun to share these memories. I need to look for my picture kissing the Blarney stone. Richard said he can’t believe I climbed the tower, much less kissed the stone.
We were younger when we were there, and not very brave. Yeah, Richard!!!
He feels humbled but glad that he tried. Of course, I did it perfectly (in my 20’s). No competition in our family!
Oh my! So beautifully green and ancient! And that dinner looks divine. Despite the epic fail, I champion Richard’s epic grit with the Blarney Stone. And yours , Jan! May I assume, Rich, that this means no further smack talking when you get back for holidays?
😀
Richard says he is humbled now.
Well what do I know? Not much, as it turns out. First of all – I thought one kissed the Blarney stone for good luck…and most importantly, my mental image of the Blarney stone was something like Plymouth Rock, in that it was just some sort of “free standing” special rock!
Oh well, you are giving me a good education and I’m enjoying myself as I travel along with you.
Kathy
It certainly is not an obvious legend nor an obvious location. There is a picture of holding folks by their feet as they are lowered over the side to kiss the Blarney Stone. Thank goodness it’s now safer than that, but it’s just one more travel legend to appreciate.