Set in a tower of Blarney Castle in County Cork, a block of limestone known as the Blarney Stone is reputed to have magical powers. The story goes that an old woman (possibly a witch) cast a spell on a king as a reward for saving her from drowning. She told him that when he kissed the stone in the tower he’d gain great powers of eloquence.
Amazingly, the powers are rarely questioned even to this day. However (as is usual with ancient history), the story behind it varies. The most commonly accepted story of the stone is that it was sent by Robert the Bruce to Cormac McCarthy, King of Munster as thanks for Irish support at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where they defeated the English. Cormac McCarthy had it installed in Blarney Castle and it became known as the Blarney Stone.
His descendant King Dermot McCarthy then installed the stone in a larger castle he constructed in 1446. What is known, however, is when and how the word ‘Blarney’ entered the English language. Dermot McCarthy was required to surrender his castle to the Queen as proof of his loyalty. This would have been Queen Elizabeth I.
He readily agreed to do so, but there seemed to always be some reason to prevent the handover. He had the most reasonable excuses every time. Once, when the eloquent excuses of McCarthy were repeated to the English Queen, she reportedly said “Odds bodkins, more Blarney talk!”
Since then the term ‘Blarney’ has come to mean ‘the ability to influence and coax with fair words and soft speech without giving offense’ or ‘flattering or wheedling talk’
Kissing the Blarney Stone is not an easy feat, even today. In the past, to kiss the Stone people were hung by their heels over the edge of the parapet. However since the tragic death of a man whose holder’s hands slipped, the stone has been kissed by somewhat safer means.
You should sit with your back towards the stone and then someone sits on or holds your legs or firmly holds your feet. Next, leaning far back and downward while grasping the iron rails, you lower yourself until your head is even with the stone to be kissed. A pair of iron rails is used these days too! A good thing too, since there are over 300,000 visitors every year.
Author: Sine Treanor – Celtic Rings Ltd
