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<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/laurie2123/">Laurie2123</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurie2123/54700730024/" title="20250428 0567 Beauty all Around-Edit"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54700730024_62c8d8f05f_m.jpg" width="240" height="154" alt="20250428 0567 Beauty all Around-Edit" /></a></p> <p>The Flickr Lounge: Fill the Frame<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/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685493624/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685493624_bee5604483_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685469293/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685469293_02c9b8a87a_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54684432837/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54684432837_d1f547d085_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> The Seven Sisters<br /> <br /> Legend tells of a famous King of Munster who once ruled these lands.<br /> <br /> He had seven daughters and two sons. His rival was also a powerful clan chief and the time came when the king had to defend his lands.<br /> <br /> One fateful day the army rode out to battle with the king and his two sons at the head of it. Although victorious, it came at a great cost, as both sons were killed in the fighting.<br /> <br /> The army marched back to the castle, on route passing the ancient druids stone circle that had stood for millennia.<br /> <br /> The king dispatched a contingent of men to the sacred site and in his grief he instructed them to push over two of the nine standing stones.<br /> <br /> This would forever commemorate his two fallen sons. The seven sisters remain standing to this day.<br /> <br /> (text from an informational display at the site)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685494329/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685494329_cbfb94d410_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685249786/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685249786_6533a60695_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685584565/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685584565_6381f6940c_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685477728/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685477728_985992e414_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685477508/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685477508_389204a700_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685581100/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685581100_61a18a35b7_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685471578/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685471578_05fdfe9b3b_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685582975/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685582975_6acdb85f6e_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54684434372/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54684434372_e75e460e75_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685490149/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685490149_a8d3210aae_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685251966/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685251966_fae4f13f00_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54684428937/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54684428937_ec024fd255_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Over a one hour wait to get into the castle and see the Blarney Stone.<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/tedavisphotography/">tedavisphotography</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tedavisphotography/54685584190/" title="Blarney Castle and Gardens"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54685584190_b90cc236d9_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle and Gardens" /></a></p> <p>Blarney, Co. Cork, Republic of Ireland<br /> <br /> Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, a town in Cork, Ireland. 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 Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. <br /> <br /> The castle originally dates from before 1200, when a timber house was believed to have been built on the site, although no evidence remains of this. Around 1210 this was replaced by a stone fortification. It was destroyed in 1446 but subsequently rebuilt by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, Lord of Muscry, who also built castles at Kilcrea and Carrignamuck.<br /> <br /> The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars and was seized in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces under Lord Broghill. However, after the Restoration, the castle was restored to Donough MacCarty, who was made 1st Earl of Clancarty.<br /> <br /> During the Williamite War in Ireland in the 1690s, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (also named Donough MacCarty) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by the Williamites.<br /> <br /> The castle was sold and changed hands several times — Sir Richard Pyne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, owned it briefly — before being purchased in the early 18th century by Sir James Jeffreys, governor of Cork City.<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. There are many versions of the origin of the stone, including a claim that it was the Lia Fáil — a numinous stone upon which Irish kings were crowned.<br /> <br /> Surrounding the castle are extensive gardens. There are paths touring the grounds, with signs pointing out the various attractions such as several natural rock formations with fanciful names such as Druid's Circle, Witch's Cave and the Wishing Steps. The grounds include a poison garden with numerous poisonous plants, including wolfsbane, mandrake, ricinus, opium poppies and cannabis.<br /> <br /> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle" rel="noreferrer nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blarney_Castle</a>)</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/jdmaurojr/">JDMauroJr</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdmaurojr/54682963741/" title="Blarney Castle 1"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54682963741_067cc0bbb4_m.jpg" width="192" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle 1" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/misshlp/">MissHLP</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/misshlp/54683193809/" title="Blarney Castle and Grounds"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54683193809_5811a4e8cf_m.jpg" width="173" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle and Grounds" /></a></p> <p>The Blarney Castle and its grounds</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/people/misshlp/">MissHLP</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/misshlp/54682962616/" title="Blarney Castle and Grounds"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54682962616_c9e6798e17_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Blarney Castle and Grounds" /></a></p> <p>The Blarney Castle and its grounds</p>

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