Kissing the Blarney Stone

Over 400,000 people are said to kiss the Blarney Stone each year.  Located in Ireland, approximately five miles from Cork, this piece of Bluestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle has attracted millions of lips since the late 18th Century. 

The world famous stone is said to endow the kisser of the stone with the “gift of gab.”  Statesman, celebrities and royalty have made a pilgrimage to the site to receive the reward of powerful persuasiveness.  However, reaching the legendary stone is not easy.

First, you must travel to Ireland’s Blarney Castle, and then make an arduous trek to the top.  Once having climbed the 127 steps of the 500 year-old castle you must then lie on your back and bend over backwards over a deathly drop of 120 feet.  Visitors are held by their ankles as they lean backwards head first.  Iron grates have been installed to prevent adventurers from plummeting to their untimely deaths.

The origin of the stone is disputed (it is said to have been brought to Ireland from Scotland in 1314), but it is universally believed this magical stone is gifted with special powers.  The word “Blarney” is said to originate from Queen Elizabeth I, who after becoming fed-up with the empty promises of the silver-tongued Lord Blarney declared, “It’s all Blarney!”  Henceforth, kissing the Blarney Stone bestowed the visitor with the eloquent abilities of its former Lord.

Kissing the Blarney Stone was recently ranked as the most unhygienic tourist attraction in the world.  With millions of lips making contact with the stone one can only imagine the germ factor.  However, there is no proof of people becoming ill as a result of kissing the infamous stone.   Hopefully, the only bug an adventurous kisser ever catches is the notorious “gift of gab” - making the pilgrimage and the uncomfortable physical contortions worth the effort.