October 6, 2012

• A Load of Blarney

  Top O The Morning! (One of many stereotypical Irish phrases I never heard along with “Faith and Begorrah!” and “No thanks, I’m the designated driver”). But I digress. The Next morning, top, bottom, or otherwise, Brian and I set off for the airport!…To rent a car

  

  You see, we learned the hard way that practically nobody in Europe drives automatic. And as we dont drive stick, there were a limited number of places for us to obtain transportation to explore cork on our own. But we persevered and eventually…

  

  Blarney Castle!

  

  The Front looked quite daunting so we thought we might try sneaking in through the tunnels

  

  That didnt work out so well as the prison tunnels were long, cold, and damp. No, I am going to say they were downright dank. Dreary, even.

  

  

  

  Of course, Blarney Castle is famous for the Blarney Stone, granting the garrulous gift of gab on whatever guy or gal goes for it.

  

  

  

  

  Now I dont know about you, but in my head, the Blarney stone was always some sort of seat, a flat stone kind of like a pond skipping stone, or the stone in which excalibur was held. Therefore whoever kissed it drew out the gift like the proverbial King Arthur, but with their tongue instead of their arm. I know, I was a weird kid,

  

  As it turns out, it is set into the castle wall itself, necessitating you to hang upside down and contemplate what other bodily fluids might have come in contact with it over the years.

  

  As the story goes, Cormac Teige McCarthy, the builder of Blarney Castle, being involved in a lawsuit, appealed to Clíodhna for her assistance. She told MacCarthy to kiss the first stone he found in the morning on his way to court, and he did so, with the result that he pleaded his case with great eloquence and won. Thus the Blarney Stone is said to impart “the ability to deceive without offending.” MacCarthy then incorporated it into the parapet of the castle.
  

  

  

  

  Of course, Mr P, had to pass that opportunity, being afraid of heights

  

  

  

  We felt that while the castle was exciting, the guardrails just eliminated the thrill. There was no risk, no danger!

  

  Hmm, this looks promising.

  

  

  Turns out it was full of things rare as nightshade and hemlock, to those as common as garlic (which can act as a blood thinner)

  

  

  A quick climb up the lookout tower, and we set off for the Next Post, the Druid Garden!

  • 8:10 pm
  • 3 Comments