The Blarney Stone

The Blarney Stone is set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. The stone is believed to be half of the Stone of Scone which originally belonged to Scotland.

Scottish Kings were crowned over the stone because it was believed to have special powers. One old story says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to sweet talk, and he was able to talk anyone into doing anything.

The stone was given to Cormac McCarthy by Robert the Bruce in 1314 in return for his support in a battle.

Queen Elizabeth I wanted the Irish chiefs to agree to hold their own lands under title from her. Cormac Teige McCarthy, the Lord of Blarney, handled her every Royal wish with clever promises keeping loyalty to the Queen without giving in.

Elizabeth proclaimed that McCarthy was giving her "a lot of Blarney." This is how the story began that if you kiss the blarney stone you will also be able to make clever promises.

It's tough to reach the stone -- it's between the main castle wall and the parapet. Kissers have to lie on their back and bend backward and downward, holding iron bars for support.