The Blarney SMOOCH
Posted by Leonard And Me , 7.09.2018 5:42 PM
Remember when I said I didn't want to see another castle? Well, I kinda lied. We've both been looking forward to this experience in Ireland. I wouldn't really consider the Blarney Castle a typical castle. It's actually a partial ruin with some accessible rooms and battlements. At the top of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone.
What do you do when you get to the top of Blarney Castle? You kiss the Blarney Stone! The Stone itself is still set in the wall below the battlements. To kiss it, one has to lean backwards (holding on to an iron railing) from the parapet walk. The prize is a real one as once kissed the stone bestows the "gift of gab".
It seemed EVERYBODY wanted to kiss the Blarney Stone today! We stood in line for almost two hours and climbed a total of 127 steps to get to the top of the castle. Of the 30+ people in our tour group only six of us were willing to pucker up and kiss that stone!
Once upon a time, visitors had to be held by the ankles and lowered head first over the battlements. Today, they are rather more cautious of the safety of all the visitors. Someone sits beside you and holds you by the waist as you lean backwards for the kiss. I have to admit....I had to work for that kiss! The Stone is further away from you than you think...and you really have to hold on to those bars and lower your body backwards to reach the Stone.
Of course, after waiting in line for two hours....once you reach the Stone it's all over in a matter of 3 seconds! I prayed to God Jenesa got a good picture of me. This would be the first time I ever kissed a STONE! I don't like to kiss and tell, but....
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