IRELAND - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 324

The moist, temperate climate of Cork makes for splendid gardens and wonderful
parks. And shopping the maze of streets between Patrick Street and South Mall
provides a plethora of fashions and fashionable cafes and eateries offering finely
prepared foods at various prices.
The village of Blarney is a short, 25-minute bus ride north of the city, where the
“touristy” thing to do is visit BlarneyCastle and kiss the legendary BlarneyStone,
which promises the gift of eloquence to anyone believing enough to be lowered
backward from the battlements on the roof of the castle to achieve it. You will, of
course, be adding to the lip prints of thousands of other tourists who have attemp-
ted the same thing.
Board the bus marked Blarney in the city's bus terminal at Parnell Place. It's
only a 10-minute walk down Glanmire Road to the river and the bus station. On
Saturday and Sunday buses depart Cork every 1 hour and 15 minutes starting at
0900 and return on the same schedule. During the week, buses run about every
15 minutes. Travel time is 35 minutes. Check schedules with the Cork tourist office
or call Bus Éireann at (353) 21 4508188. Plan to be back on the bus by 1800 to
make your train back to Cork.
There are many legends regarding the origins of the Blarney Stone. According
to one, it was brought to Ireland from the Holy Land during one of the crusades.
Another theory has the Blarney Stone originating from half of the Stone of Scone,
with Robert the Bruce giving the mystical rock to Cormac MacCarthy, Lord of Blar-
ney, in 1314. Legend has it that the gift of eloquence would be bestowed upon
anyone who kissed it. It was not until Cormac MacCarthy saved an elderly woman
from drowning that he learned of this magical secret. Visit www.blarneycastle.ie .
Day Excursion to