Let's Discover Blarney Castle

The Blarney Castle is one of the most important and popular landmarks of Ireland, being visited by millions of people each year, due to the incredible natural beauty that surrounds it and its legendary Blarney Stone. It is situated in Blarney, near Cork and River Martin. Open to tourists, Blarney Castle always gives you the opportunity to enjoy a dreamy holiday in a medieval, barons’ style atmosphere, delighted by fantastic attractions - wide gardens or different rock formations like The Druid’s Circle or The Wishing Steps. Moreover, finding a place to stay during this trip is not a problem, with all the accommodation options is Blarney Village or Cork City.

Accommodation is never a problem if you want to visit this region, as there are over 700 hotels in Ireland, either three star, four star or five star ones. Also, there are a lot of guesthouses, making your visit to Ireland more accessible. The travel information you need is abundant, so you should start by taking notes and concentrating more on top activities you want to take part in. You can enjoy the family breaks, spas, golf and leisure breaks here in the best hotels available for tourists. In fact, if you ever want to visit the United Kingdom, you do not have to worry. There are also over 1000 hotels in England for you to be able to enjoy all the great sights.

Blarney Castle was built in 1446 by Cormac MacCarthy, the King of Munster. In fact, we can say that the castle was discovered in AD 1200 in the form of a wooden construction, which was later on, in AD 1210, replaced with a stone one. Initially, the castle was a hunting location. During the Irish Confederate Wars, it was taken over and then seized by the Parliament run by Lord Borghill in 1646. Later on, the castle re-entered the possession of Donough MacCarthy, thereby the 1st Earl of Clancarty, who in the 1690’s, after being captured, lost it to the Williamites. After several sales and exchanges, John Jefferyes bought Blarney Castle and transformed it in a mansion. Unfortunately, in 1874, it burnt and therefore was replaced with the Blarney House, a baron mansion with a beautiful view to the nearby lake.

Maybe the most important piece of Blarney Castle is the Blarney Castle Stone, also known as The Stone of Eloquence. This is situated in the superior part of the tower and carries along an ancient and unquestioned legend. Apparently, Blarney Stone has the power of enriching each person who kisses it with the gift of eloquence or the art of words. This legend is what brings millions of pilgrims, personalities form the world of literature, giants of politics and stars of the silver screen to Blarney castle each year.

The origins of Blarney Stone are debated over and over again. One variant is that the stone was in fact Jacob’s Pillow and was brought by Jeremiah, the prophet. Later on, it was transformed into the Lia Fail, also known as “the Fatal Stone”, characteristic to the crowning of the kings of Ireland who received special powers. Another variant is that Blarney Stone is the pillow on the deathbed of Saint Colomba, who died on the island of Iona. It is said that the stone was then carried to Scotland, where it acted as the Stone of Destiny in the question of the succession to the throne. However, a piece of the stone returned to Ireland, the Scots thanking the Cormac MacCarthy who helped them defeat the English at Bannockburn in 1314, at the suggestion of the Queen, who said she got a lot of blarney from MacCarthy.

Also, some claim that the stone is actually the Stone of Ezel, which covered David when he escaped Saul, his enemy. Others even associate the stone with Moses. In the end, Blarney Castle is much more than a historical monument. Together with the symbol of Blarney Stone, it is a shelter of mystery, a source of hope and a home of beauty of all kinds.

So, you must not miss a unique opportunity, an incredible presence, the complexity and beauty of the land of Blarney Castle.

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