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Bing: Blarney Castle
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<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/pkitt/">Silanov</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pkitt/54668538130/" title="Ancestral footsteps"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54668538130_3401c59da5_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Ancestral footsteps" /></a></p> <p>A view of Blarney House from Blarney Gardens, Blarney, County Cork, Ireland<br /> <br /> <u>Some background information:</u><br /> <br /> Blarney House is a grand mansion located on the grounds of Blarney Castle in County Cork. It’s an often-overlooked gem nestled near the more famous Blarney Stone but is well worth a visit in its own right. Blarney House was built in 1874 in the Scottish Baronial style, which is known for its romantic, turreted design. The current house stands on the site of an earlier 18th-century building that was destroyed by fire. It was designed by architect John Lanyon and is currently owned by the Colthurst family, the same family that owns Blarney Castle.<br /> <br /> Blarney House sits in a scenic spot overlooking Blarney Lake and is surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens. Inside, the house features elegant period furnishings, grand staircases, oak-paneled rooms, and ornate fireplaces. Although not as old as the medieval Blarney Castle, Blarney House offers visitors a unique look into 19th-century aristocratic life in Ireland. Today Blarney House is the home of Sir Charles Colthurst who has expanded and enhanced the gardens and maintains the estate in an exemplary manner. Both house and gardens are typically open to the public during the summer months, usually from June to August, and guided tours are available. Admission to the house is often included with tickets to Blarney Castle.<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney in the Irish County Cork. It is located just about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) northwest of the City of Cork. Though earlier fortifications were built on the same spot, the current keep was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty, a cadet branch of the Kings of Desmond, and dates from 1446. The famous Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle.<br /> <br /> Originally, Blarney Castle dates from the 10th century, when a wooden castle was built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210, a stone fortification was erected, which probably replaced the timber building. In 1446, it was destroyed but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry and King of Munster, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> During the Irish Confederate Wars., Blarney Castle was besieged and finally also seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces headed by Lord Broghill, who was under Oliver Cromwell‘s command. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored by Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty. In the course of the Williamite War in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty, who also had the name Donough MacCarty, was captured. Thereafter, his lands including Blarney Castle were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> In the following two decades, the castle changed hands several times (Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly), before it was purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jefferyes, governor of Cork City. Members of the Jefferyes family later built a large house near the old keep. After it had been destroyed by fire, a replacement mansion, known as Blarney House, was erected in 1874, overlooking the nearby lake. The new mansion was designed in Scottish baronial-style. In the mid-19th century, the Jefferyes and Colthurst families were joined by marriage. Today, the Colthurst family still occupies the demesne. <br /> <br /> Blarney Castle is now 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. Tourists visiting the castle may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. This ritual of kissing the Blarney Stone has already been performed by millions of people, including world statesmen, popular authors and famous actors. The kiss, however, is not casually achieved. To touch the stone with one's lips, the participant must ascend to the castle's peak and then lean over backwards on the parapet's edge. This is traditionally achieved with the help of an assistant. Although the parapet is now fitted with wrought-iron guide rails and protective crossbars, the ritual can still trigger attacks of acrophobia.<br /> <br /> There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil – a divine stone upon which Irish kings were crowned. But there’s also a story suggesting that the stone was presented to Cormac MacCarthy by Robert the Bruce in 1314 in recognition of his support in the Battle of Bannockburn. This legend holds that the Blarney Stone wa a piece of the Stone of Scone that was used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs until the 13th century.<br /> <br /> According to another legend it was Queen Elisabeth I, who created the word &quot;blarney&quot; that is still used as a synonym for &quot;gossip&quot;. After then lord of the castle Cormac Teige McCarthy had made a lot of excuses about the delayed surrender of his stronghold, it is said that the impatient Queen interrupted the reading of the minutes of the negotiations by shouting that this would be all &quot;blarney&quot;.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds with signs pointing out the various attractions just like several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds also include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis. Blarney Castle is open to the public and if you go there, don’t pass on climbing up the wooden staircase, kissing the Blarney Stone and getting you portion of additional eloquence.</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/vsolanoy/">Victor Solanoy</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/vsolanoy/54636023441/" title="Sentinel of Stone: The Forgotten Watcher of Blarney"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54636023441_a5a09b09b1_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Sentinel of Stone: The Forgotten Watcher of Blarney" /></a></p> <p>Moss-laced guardian— stone lips sealed through centuries, ivy cloaks the truth. Time forgets, but walls recall secrets left in whispered wind.</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/toshio1/">` Toshio &#039;</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toshio1/54612072475/" title="Blarney Castle in Ireland"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54612072475_6c3f0d3d42_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Blarney Castle in Ireland" /></a></p> <p>I had a chance to kiss the famous Blarney Stone at the Blarney Castle in Ireland during my recent trip there.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/redirect?url=http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toshio-Kishiyama/209875339045240?sk=wal#!/pages/Toshio-Kishiyama/209875339045240?sk=wall"><b> Facebook </b> </a> | <a href="https://www.flickr.com/redirect?url=http://twitter.com/ToshioK"><b> Twitter </b></a> | <a href="https://www.flickr.com/redirect?url=http://instagram.com/toshio04#/"><b> Instagram </b></a> | <a href="https://www.flickr.com/redirect?url=http://toshio.shutterchance.com/archive//"><b> Shutterchance </b></a> | <br /> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/redirect?url=http://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?phrase=kishiyama&amp;family=creative&amp;sort=best&amp;excludenudity=true&amp;page=1"><b>Getty Images</b></a> | <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toshio1/sets/72157602213504270/"><b> On Explore </b></a> | <b> TikTok Toshio_1 </b> | <b> Threads: Toshio04 </b><br /> <br /> All Rights Reserved. All Images Copyright protected</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/154638334@N06/">jeffr71</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/154638334@N06/54609322134/" title="Following the Eloquence"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54609322134_cbab76e28e_m.jpg" width="240" height="150" alt="Following the Eloquence" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/162012455@N03/">RIL21</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/162012455@N03/54587704856/" title="Grounds of Blarney Castle"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54587704856_d6f3f04f40_m.jpg" width="132" height="240" alt="Grounds of Blarney Castle" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/162012455@N03/">RIL21</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/162012455@N03/54588022140/" title="Walls of the Blarney Castle"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54588022140_2abd7bbe8f_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Walls of the Blarney Castle" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/162012455@N03/">RIL21</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/162012455@N03/54586836847/" title="Approching Blarney Castle"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54586836847_9b2c0d812b_m.jpg" width="240" height="176" alt="Approching Blarney Castle" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/laurie2123/">Laurie2123</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurie2123/54512965808/" title="20250428 0577 Blarney Castle Gardens -Edit"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54512965808_e303d1e212_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="20250428 0577 Blarney Castle Gardens -Edit" /></a></p> <p>The Flickr Lounge: Horizon<br /> <br /> &quot;Blarney Castle Gardens&quot;<br /> <br /> I had always heard of kissing the &quot;Blarney Stone&quot;, but I never heard how beautiful the gardens are surrounding the castle. Every turn on the path was yet another beautiful sight to see.<br /> <br /> <br /> Thank you so much for your views, comments and favs. I really do appreciate every one!<br /> My images are posted here for your enjoyment only. All rights are reserved. Please contact me through flickr if you are interested in using one of my images for any reason.</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/202687373@N08/">elstanto</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/202687373@N08/54475257355/" title="Blarney Castle, Cork"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54475257355_4455752703_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Blarney Castle, Cork" /></a></p> <p>Ireland</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/ktoniko/">toni carreras ✈</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ktoniko/54463011647/" title="Blarney Castle"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54463011647_92c331a516_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Blarney Castle" /></a></p> <p>Blarney</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/ktoniko/">toni carreras ✈</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ktoniko/54463022687/" title="Blarney"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54463022687_1371b85aa5_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Blarney" /></a></p> <p>Blarney</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/ktoniko/">toni carreras ✈</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ktoniko/54464047634/" title="Blarney Castle &amp; Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54464047634_782da435e4_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Blarney Castle &amp; Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/8348059@N02/">Andy961</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/54454870203/" title="Yew"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54454870203_f19fe53f67_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Yew" /></a></p> <p>Barney Castle Poison Garden: Yew.<br /> <br /> DSC_0520</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/8348059@N02/">Andy961</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/54454811814/" title="Curtain Wall"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54454811814_14bbb43769_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Curtain Wall" /></a></p> <p>Blarney Castle. Curtain Wall. What remains here is part of the curtain wall that once surrounded the tower house. This structure played a crucial role in the castle's defenses. It is constructed with a double skin, where the outer and inner walls are separated by a layer of earth and small stones. This design helps to better absorb the impact of cannonballs.<br /> <br /> IMG_2474</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/8348059@N02/">Andy961</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/54454616926/" title="Poison Garden"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54454616926_f85df6b5aa_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Poison Garden" /></a></p> <p>Blarney Castle Poison Garden interpretive marker..<br /> <br /> IMG_2470</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/8348059@N02/">Andy961</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/54452899902/" title=""><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54452899902_15fcefa173_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="" /></a></p> <p>IMG_2466</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/8348059@N02/">Andy961</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/54453753136/" title="Curtain Wall"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54453753136_f4ebeb902d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Curtain Wall" /></a></p> <p>Blarney Castle. Curtain Wall. What remains here is part of the curtain wall that once surrounded the tower house. This structure played a crucial role in the castle's defenses. It is constructed with a double skin, where the outer and inner walls are separated by a layer of earth and small stones. This design helps to better absorb the impact of cannonballs.<br /> <br /> IMG_2469</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/8348059@N02/">Andy961</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/54453183600/" title="Blarney Castle"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54453183600_ef4a67dd88_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle" /></a></p> <p>IMG_2456</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/8348059@N02/">Andy961</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/54453074533/" title="Sentry Gate and Dungeon"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54453074533_723c10133c_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Sentry Gate and Dungeon" /></a></p> <p>Balrney Castle. Kennel, Sentry and Dungeon. You are standing at the former gatehouse of a large bastion tower that once protected the tower house known as Blarney Castle. To your right is the dog kennel and the sentry-guarded entrance.<br /> <br /> IMG_2462</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/8348059@N02/">Andy961</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8348059@N02/54450592397/" title=""><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54450592397_79e4fbe7bb_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="" /></a></p> <p>IMG_2454</p>

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