Blarney, Ireland
This photo was taken from the battlements of the Blarney Castle in Blarney, Ireland (about 8km from Cork). I remember the day vividly – gorgeous blue skies, and an hilarious old dude who “helped me” kiss the Blarney stone (you need to lay down on your back over the edge of the battlements in order to kiss the stone – I actually did need help, but I distinctly remember fearing for my life as I hung out over the edge, laughing my ass off and trying to kiss the damn thing).
According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of the gab. Not really sure it did anything for me, but anyway… ^^ The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446. Very cool spot. And you can’t beat that view!
‘Tis there’s the stone that whoever kisses
He never misses to grow eloquent;
‘Tis he may clamber to a lady’s chamber,
Or become a member of Parliament.
“A noble spouter he’ll sure turn out, or
An out and outer to be let alone;
Don’t try to hinder him, or to bewilder him,
For he is a pilgrim from the Blarney stone.”
-Francis Sylvester Mahony
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