Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
kiss the stone while an automated camera snaps a photo—which will be available for pur-
chase back by the parking lot. After a day of tour groups mindlessly climbing up here to
perform this ritual, the stone can be literally slathered with spit and lipstick.
The tradition goes back to the late 16th century, when Queen Elizabeth I was trying
to plant loyal English settlers in Ireland to tighten her grip on the rebellious island. She
demanded that the Irish clan chiefs recognize the Crown, rather than the clan chiefs, as
the legitimate titleholder of all lands. One of those chiefs was Cormac MacCarthy, Lord
of Blarney Castle (who was supposedly loyal to the queen). He was smart enough never
to disagree with the queen—instead, he would cleverly avoid acquiescing to her demands
by sending a never-ending stream of lengthy and deceptive excuses, disguised with liberal
doses of flattery (while subtly maintaining his native Gaelic loyalties). In her frustration,
the queen declared his endless words nothing but “blarney.”
While the castle is a shell, the surrounding grounds are beautiful and well kept. There
are even some hints of Ireland's pre-Christian past on the grounds; you can see dolmens
beside the trail in the forested Rock Close.
