The Blarney Stone is a block of limestone built into Blarney Castle in Blarney. According to old Irish folklore, kissing the stone gifts the kisser with the ‘gift of the gab’ (an Irish slang term for being interesting when talking). The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446.
Kissing Ireland’s Blarney Stone, a tradition that’s been around for several centuries, is for sure a must-try when visiting Blarney Castle.
You may wonder why people decide to kiss the Blarney Stone upside down – it’s because they have no choice. The Blarney stone can only be accessed this way. Back in the olden times, kissers would have to be held from their ankles above the stone and lowered down but this quickly came to an end as a visitor slipped down and unfortunately did not survive the fall.
Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting the attention of tourists near and far ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures.
Blarney Gardens
There is more to Blarney than just the famous Blarney Stone and Blarney Castle. Between the entrance gates and the distant lake lie 60 acres of surprises, delights and mysteries waiting to be discovered. There is a network of paths that lead visitors through various gardens, arboretums, and avenues, which constantly change and evolve depending on the season or environment.
