Blarney Castle

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Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland.

The castle originally dates from before AD 1200. It was destroyed in 1446, but subsequently rebuilt by Dermot McCarthy, the King of Munster. It is currently a partial ruin with some accessible rooms and the battlements. At the top of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, also called the Blarney Stone. Tourists visiting Blarney Castle may be positioned upside-down and kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. Photographs are taken of the "magic moment".

Surrounding the castle are beautiful and quite extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations which have been given fanciful names, a Druid's Circle, a Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. A newer mansion in the park, Blarney House which was built in Scottish baronial style in 1874, is also open to the public.

[edit] Gallery of Images

View from the top of the castle of the surrounding grounds	Kissing the Blarney Stone	Blarney House	The wishing steps in the Blarney Castle gardens
The fairy glade	The sacrificial altar	The Rock Close

[edit] See also

• Blarney
• Blarney Stone

Historic Irish Houses and Castles

Áras an Uachtaráin | Allenstown House | Ardbraccan House | Ardgillan Castle | Ashford Castle | Ashtown Castle | Avondale House | Ballymore Castle | Bantry House | Birr Castle | Black Castle | Blarney Castle | Bourchier's Castle | Bunratty Castle | Cahir Castle | Carrickmines Castle | Carton House | Castleknock Castle | Castletown House | Chichester House | Clonalis House | Clontarf Castle | Deerfield |Desmond Castle | Donegal castle | Doonagore Castle | Drimnagh Castle | Dromoland Castle | Dublin Castle | Dunboy Castle | Dunguaire Castle | Durhamstown Castle | Emo Court | Farmleigh | Frescati House | Foulksrath Castle | Grianan of Aileach | Howth Castle | Iveagh House | Kilkenny Castle | King John's Castle | Knappogue Castle | Leap Castle | Leinster House | Lismore Castle | Malahide Castle | Mansion House | Mornington House | Muckross House | O'Dea Castle | Ormonde Castle | Parkavonear Castle | Powerscourt House | Rathfarnham Castle | Redwood Castle | Rock of Dunamase | Ross Castle | Russborough House | Slane Castle | Swords Castle | Trim Castle | Tyrone House

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Blarney Castle

• Official Blarney Castle Website