Blarney
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| Blarney An Bhlárna |
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| Location | ||
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| Irish Grid Reference W610759 |
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| Statistics | ||
| Province: | Munster | |
| County: | County Cork | |
| Population (2006) | 5,226 | |
Blarney (An Bhlárna in Irish) is a village in the south of Ireland, located 8 km northwest of Cork in the Republic of Ireland. It is the site of Blarney Castle, home of the legendary Blarney Stone.
By kissing the Blarney Stone, it is claimed that one can receive the "Gift of the Gab" (eloquence, or skill at flattery or persuasion). The legend has its roots in the response of the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth I to Cormac Teige McCarthy's attempt to sweet talk his way out of a sticky situation, during negotiations of the takeover of the Blarney Castle by the occupying English forces. Cormac himself was the King of Munster, living in the Blarney Castle around the 14th century. The stone itself is rumoured to have been created by a witch way back in the middle ages.
Blarney village is a major tourist attraction in County Cork. Mostly people come to see the castle, kiss the stone, and go shopping in Christy's - also known as the Blarney Woollen Mills.
The middle of the village is dominated by The Square - a grass field where Blarney locals and the townpeople from Cork City journey to during the summer. Activities include soccer, sunbathing and other recreational activities. Roy Keane, the legendary Irish International soccer player and renowned Manchester United captain, made a cameo appearance at The Square league. His team lost that day.
Various attempts to beautify the square over the years have always been met with stiff objection from the locals. Previous uses include a market square, and the area is now a few hundred years old.
The town will be connected to Cork City and the rest of Metropolitan Cork by train in 2008.
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