Kiss the Blarney Stone

                    Climb Blarney and reach the stone to kiss
                    Is something I don't want to miss
                    Lean back into dangers
                    Share spit with some strangers
                    To find eloquence, no longer amiss. 

Yes, I want to climb Blarney Castle, kiss the stone, and receive the fabled gift of gab.

Of course, anyone who personally knows my talkative self is shaking their heads right now saying, "Kaitlin, you don't need it!" But that is beside the point!

The Blarney Castle is located in the southwest region of Ireland in the the small town of Blarney, just five miles west of Cork. It was built almost 600 years ago and stands approximately 90 feet tall with the Blarney Stone resting at the top.

Kissing it, though slightly difficult, is much easier today than in years passed. Currently there are iron rods on either side of the stone that you grab while leaning backwards while an assistant spots you from above. From this position you are able to tilt your head back and kiss the Blarney Stone upside down.

Before this current process, one had to be lowered off the tower, being held only by their feet. Let's just say not everyone survived.

But if you are able to overcome your acrophobia (fear of heights) and don't mind that millions of others have kissed it before you, legend says that you will be awarded the gift of eloquence. Never again will you be at a loss for words.

There is much debate as to the origin of the stone, many of great Biblical and/or historical importance; however, the most widely accepted tale is that Cormac MacCarthy, who built the Blarney Castle, was involved in a lawsuit. He asked the goddess Clíodhna for help who told MacCarthy to kiss the first stone he found on his way to court. After obeying her instructions, MacCarthy eloquently pleaded his case and won, so he built the stone into the parapet of the castle.

Seeing as my dad is an eloquent lawyer and my mom is a direct descendant of the McCarthy clan, I'm okay with this version of the story.

I'm very excited to add Ireland and kissing the Blarney Stone to my wish list. It's gonna be LEGEN...wait for it...

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Have you kissed the Blarney Stone? Do you ever feel like you would benefit from the gift of eloquence? Let me know with a comment below!

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