PERFECTLY PLANNED JOURNEYS
  • Welcome
  • Who we are
    • Certifications & Licenses
    • Wildlife Friendly Pledge
  • Resources
    • Travel Store
    • Newsletter
    • Blog >
      • Food & Drinks from around the World
    • Events >
      • Competitions & Quizzes
      • RSVP
    • FAQ
    • Fundraiser
    • Gift Certificate
    • Joint Venture
    • Jokes
    • Legal Disclaimer
    • Passport & Visa
    • Helpful Travel Info. from TSA
    • Travel Warnings
    • Trip Planner
    • Homes for Rent
  • Contact
    • Travel Profile (Head of Household)
    • Travel Profile - (Family Member)
    • Short Trip Inquiry
    • How would you like to communicate?
    • Facebook
    • Contact Me!
    • Quick Trip Inquiry
    • VIP Members
  • Insider Secrets
    • Perfect Travel Connections - Coming Soon!

“Traveling tends to magnify
all human emotions”
- Peter Hoeg

Blarney, Ireland - the place to go for the "Gift of Gab"

7/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Ireland is a country of myths and legends, and nowhere is that more true than at Blarney Castle. The Blarney Stone has a history that combines Celtic mythology with facts from the Middle Ages.   

You most likely know that Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland's greatest chieftains,  Cormac MacCarthy and that the current castle is the third castle to be built here.

You may also know that to reach the legendary stone you must climb approximately 120 steps to get to the top of Blarney Castle.  Once you are on the narrow walkway, the only way to reach the stone is to lean back over the edge while holding on to the iron bars of the surrounding wall. 

But did you know that the legend says that the Blarney stone powers were thanks to a witch?  She cast a spell on the stone to thank a king who saved her from drowning.  Kissing the Blarney Stone is said to give “The Gift of Gab” and that the word Blarney was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth I described as pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending.

In 2014 geologists confirmed that the stone was sourced from 330 million-year-old limestone native to southern Ireland.

Visitors who come to Blarney should also be sure to visit the lovely gardens as well as the beautiful Blarney House that you see in this picture.  Blarney House was built in 1874 by the Colthurst family, who continues to live there.  During the tourist season they open it up for tourists while they stay at their farm.

Another "fun fact" is that Blarney Castle has a “murder room,” located just above the castle’s main entrance.  This proved crucial in warding off potential intruders. Anytime an unwanted visitor showed up, sentry would drop rocks, hot oil, or whatever weapons they could get their hands on, through a square hole in the floor.
​
Should you decide that you would like to visit this Irish treasure please contact me at Lene@PerfectlyPlannedJourneys.com or 703-927-0588

Share the knowledge

 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Lene H. Minyard
    Founder/Travel Designer of Perfectly Planned Journeys
    ​

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    January 2020
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Perfectly Planned Journeys logo

Lene Minyard CTA, owner
lene@perfectlyplannedjourneys.com  ​​703-927-0588


Certified Travel Advisor logo
True Accredited Agency logo
ASTA logo
European Tourism Association logo
European Tourism Association
Picture
Proud Supporter
Copyright Perfectly Planned Journeys, LLC™  2021
  • Welcome
  • Who we are
    • Certifications & Licenses
    • Wildlife Friendly Pledge
  • Resources
    • Travel Store
    • Newsletter
    • Blog >
      • Food & Drinks from around the World
    • Events >
      • Competitions & Quizzes
      • RSVP
    • FAQ
    • Fundraiser
    • Gift Certificate
    • Joint Venture
    • Jokes
    • Legal Disclaimer
    • Passport & Visa
    • Helpful Travel Info. from TSA
    • Travel Warnings
    • Trip Planner
    • Homes for Rent
  • Contact
    • Travel Profile (Head of Household)
    • Travel Profile - (Family Member)
    • Short Trip Inquiry
    • How would you like to communicate?
    • Facebook
    • Contact Me!
    • Quick Trip Inquiry
    • VIP Members
  • Insider Secrets
    • Perfect Travel Connections - Coming Soon!