Why Do You Kiss the Blarney Stone Upside Down | Unknown Facts
Why Do You Kiss the Blarney Stone Upside Down | Unknown Facts
If you are a traveler and adventure lover and Irelans’s on your radder, two things should chances are you’ve heard two about Barney Castle, or you listened around the scandalous Blarney Stone which gives one the capacity to talk smoothly.
Yep, People believe that touching the stone spills this gift of gab which is an ability to speak fluently and with charm. But here’s the catch: you have to do it while hanged upside down, approximately 90 feet above the ground of the Seven Tower. Can’t say that it sounds very exciting, can you?
During my research, I discovered just how daring the Blarney Stone’s position really is (Pro tip: You should always try and get some information concerning the place of your interest before you visit it. It will alleviate some of the troubles on the way and guarantee you get the most out of your trip (although some might say it is unnecessary since it is helpful anyway).
When I discovered that the drop was a 90-foot one, my first question was – why 90 feet? Why did they have to choose such a location?
If you’re as curious as I am, well, let me warn you, get ready cause we are going to go through every corner of Blarney Castle. The questions, which you may have burning in your mind by the end of this article are all answered. Let’s dive right in!
So, the first question: Why is it called “Blarney”?
”Blarney” in the dictionary refers to rich appealing smooth talking and it characterizes Irish people. Of course, this intrigued me, so I studied more and got myself bewildered by the interesting story.
Historians believe that to buy time Queen Elizabeth I of England gave Cormac McCarthy years to give up the Blarney Castle. However, McCarthy asserted himself and really used his rhetorical skills to adjourn any negotiation talks and do indemnity in any way possible while making hollow excuses.
He was good at this, and so effective that he frequently diverted both the queen and the Earl of Leicester, the envoy, and the castle was never taken. Annoyed by the lack of action, the Queen one day turned on the Earl calling his reports blarney thus introducing the word to Ireland.
Some also look at this and analyze that there were probably some acts of magic included. One legend relates that during the threats of the English, McCarthy decided to go and meet the Queen but wondered if he could retain his land as he could not speak well. Before he left, at a castle called Blarney he met an old woman whom some people claim to be a witch who said that whoever will kiss this particular stone will become a great speaker.
Instead of kissing the stone, McCarthy did so and then went on to woo the Queen and managed to retain possession of the castle. The rest, as they keep saying, is history!
Quick forward to nowadays, individuals kiss the stone hanging upside down to obtain the “Gift of gab”. But-
Why is it that people kiss the Blarney Stone upside down?
Well, it’s because the only possible way to get to it! It is installed from the outside part of the roof right into the wall of the castle but to a slightly smaller scale. How you can get to it is by leaning back about six inches from the rooftop base. This involves sleeping on your back and arching as far back as possible with a drop of 90 feet, nothing but an iron rod in between.
Sometimes you grip the banister so as not to fall through the entire stomach-churning experience of the fascinating view of the floor below.
To tell the truth, I blushed a bit myself. The castle with its old walls of stones seemed to me to be quite incapable of withstanding all these tourists. As I dug deeper, I immediately saw that my assumption about Blarney Castle has no vulnerability to argue, however accurate my statement about the castle’s age is.
This tradition of kissing the stone began in the 18th century, however this stone has remained in the castle since 1446!
If you are scared of heights—well, at least you are not alone in this world in visiting the fearful heights. In order to do this, a trained attendant will be deployed to assist the users with the whole process while observing their safety at all times. That’s much safer than it used to be in the past.
Hard to believe, but people holding their ankles used to position themselves to kiss the monument, can you even imagine that? Not unexpectedly, this tradition was soon discarded when somebody spread a story that a traveler fell off his horse to his death. Cliches are sometimes a poor choice: Sometimes the old adage just does not apply.
But here’s the good news: For those who have visited Blarney Castle it will come as a surprise that Blarney Castle is much more than the stone.
So if you’re not quite ready for the 90 feet hanging in the air, there is no need to worry, there is so much more to explore in the remainder of this castle and in its fair backyard.
More than Kiss the Blarney Stone!
As I entered the castle area the first that came into my mind was how big and magnificent Blarney Castle was. Its giant construction which can be literally considered as historical as it has more than 600 years of existence, is regarded as some sort of time machine. They say laughter is good medicine and my visit to last January didn’t just make me laugh but I relived every corner and corner of the place I was in.
To get there it’s pretty easy. It took me a train from Heuston Station in Dublin and I passed the beautiful countryside of Ireland and got into Cork Kent Station. But it only took me a bus ride and before I could register what was happening I was at the entrance of the Blarney Castle. Couldn’t have been easier!
But here’s a fun fact I didn’t expect: The current castle is not the only one to have been built on this piece of land today. First, there existed a wooden construction in the 10th century; then in about 1210 a stone one was erected. In 1446, the King of Munster, Cormac MacCarthy, knocks down this old castle and reconstructs Blarney as what it is today.
That is when the story of the widely known Blarney Stone unfolded. Contained in the bell tower of the castle, the stone was added in the year 1446 to the battlements. To get to eat there, you have to climb 127 spiral stairs, which sounds as exciting as it is!
This floor-by-floor tour is informative and getting off at every floor, there are rooms diversely depicted as they were in the medieval period. In each room which I ventured, it was as if I was transporting in the past because of the many lives that undoubtedly transpired within those walls.
The rooms, albeit not so spacious as the modern day ones will be right for the time moment. There was considerable signposting, which helped me navigate through this history labyrinth. Then, as I made my way to the rooftop, I was met with the next big surprise: the view.
A rooftop of this compound allows birds and pulls down views of this compound and the surrounding vast greenery. In case you are contemplating a flight, lest you be dumb with the Stone, the castle top is a vantage point of the green view of Ireland.
But wait, the fun did not stop there. After going down another spiral staircase that topped it all, there were even more rooms and treasures to be found in the castle. This is where I can share with you some of the most exciting…
The Murder Room
So, despite its name ‘Murder Room,’ one will not get the feeling it is a totally evil place- no murders happened in this room. This room was located immediately above the main entrance to the castle and it had a strategic defense function. There was a square opening in the ground, into which the guards would throw stones, boiling water, or weapons to those who tried to get into the castle. There was always a true ingenuity behind this as the inhabitants of the stronghold were safe from attackers due to the construction of the facility. In fact, while this name may give you the shivers, it was far more about guarding than anything ominous!
The Witch’s Kitchen
Of course, it does not have a real kitchen and is actually a rock and looks like one; thanks to its somewhat more creative name, the Witch’s Kitchen. Esq. lies just below the site of Blarney Castle, and is usually one of the major features visitors come across while being guided through the castle complex. From among these myths, it is assumed that the female witch was involved in kissing the Blarney Stone.
But wait, there’s more to this story. From folk tales, it is only the witch who is allowed to move around at night only at night. If you dare go there early morning, you might even see the outline of her fire dying out in the caves. Spooky, right?
Although I enjoyed the visit to Blarney Castle, I wouldn’t like to be near that cave at the moment! Instead, I will be in the lovely Herbaceous Border with no sign of anything supernatural happening to me.
The Herbaceous Border
Oh yes, one must not and actually should not leave the Beautiful Blarney Castle without a look and visit at the Herbaceous Border! This is a picture worthy of a perfect Christmas – a flamboyant 100 meters of flowers in a blur of color on the horizon. At the top, there is an enchanting rose pergola of 80 meters to complete an even more charming dining experience.
During summer, the border has a diverse mixture of colors from blended herbaceous plants to provide an external blend. For some, by the time of the autumn, the park turns into a warm cloth painted in a golden and red color. Therefore, whether one is a summer tourist or an autumn lover, the Herbaceous Border will leave one mesmerized.
For those who like the view of green grass even more Blarney Castle has plenty of attractions. The ground occupies an area of 60 acres and some of the attractions include the Poison Garden, Fern Garden, Ice House, and beautiful arboretums. No kidding – a Poison Garden!
But don’t worry it’s perfectly safe, as long as you don’t try to grab anything.
Poison Garden
In all honesty, I can hardly think of having met as many as seventy varieties of toxic plants all congregating in one place! Some of the tourist attractions are as beautiful as the famous murder house which is Blarney Castle Poison Garden. Every one of these plants is chosen to inform the visitors about poisonous plants, domestic as well as those a part of the natural landscape. Some of these plants are so lethal that they get stored behind bars as a safety measure for all the prisoners.
When you are in Blarney Castle, this is one place you should not miss to visit. That aside, there are visually marked warnings that tell you not to touch, smell, or eat any plant! As long as you watch over your children you don’t have anything to worry about.
But of course, I can’t end the list without mentioning the gorgeous Blarney House…
Blarney House
Stretched up to the heavens from the castle, I could see the perfect sight of the night: Blarney House looked like a mansion of a fairy tale. Could I remain indifferent to this fine exemplar of a jewel?
Blarney house, has been the residence of the Colthurst family for more than three hundred years since the year 1704 and is only opened to tourists every summer, when the family is on holiday, and is offering visitors guided tours around the premises. Slightly over 200 meters south of the castle, to be precise; it’s not very distant but the architectural style sure is a millennia apart.
When I was inside a home or in any way connected with it, according to my idea, I got a most remarkable impression. The house perfectly integrates the historic parts with some features of modern life. While it is equivalent to spying on someone’s house while they are gone, it was very enlightening to see how such a family occupies this spectacular house.
Recommended attractions if you decide to: Don’t miss it. Visiting hours are every ½ hour starting at 10 am and while you do have to pay an additional € 6 for entry (this is available at the gate), the experience of a view of this history-making construction is worth it.
Right from the luscious vegetation to the gigantic structures, the castle provides various things to everyone who is exploring. There are also other things I have not included before, like the Bog Garden area, Giant Rhubarb, Badger’s Cave, Druid’s Cave, Wishing Steps, Horse Graveyard, and other great woodlands. And if you came for the rest, here is what you can also find in the gut: exhibition rooms, a café, and a souvenir shop to make your visit cheerful.
As I journeyed back to Dublin, one thing stood out: The register of affectionate and warm Irish people. Cute smiles, indicated narratives and courteous behavior received from the people I met made my visit to Blarney Castle extra special. On the whole, I’d say I give 10/10 to the entire course!
Summary
Here’s a handy guide for anyone looking to visit Blarney Castle and make the most of their experience:
It may take several hours to ascend to the structure’s peak if you arrive late in the day, though the early bird gets the best of this spot.
One of the big factors of these extraordinary designs of the houses is the use of spiral staircases that can be dangerous when slippery, so make sure you come well-shod with your best grip shoes.
The staircases are narrow ascending and descending; some of the corridors exceptionally confining in certain parts of the structure so confining, tight, and narrow in most cases that some individuals feel a bit uncomfortable being in such areas, especially when many other tourists are in the same area.
As for ticket prices, they can cost €20 for an adult and €16 for a student or a senior citizen, while children can go for €9. This simply means that small purchases that may not be of great value all rolled up into one account make the tracking of such expenses difficult.
One must stay ready for opportunities that might expand certain opportunities.
Anticipate to spend a couple of hours exploring the eloquent nature, in the form of lawns and landscapes leading to natural caves.
Lunch can be taken at the café or bring your own food for a picnic.
Don’t leave your camera behind; you should capture all the enchanting moments that you will come across.
Last but not least the Blarney Stone has attracted millions throughout the centuries from Winston Churchill to Mick Jagger.