Many of you(some?) already know that I have family in the south of Ireland, in Cork. Usually when I visit my big brother - we go for a long walk with the whole bunch of us. We usually choose parks or woods - because we feel best there. Away from all people:)
But not this time. Kids stayed at home, so we had a smaller group than usual and a bit more room to manoeuvre. So we went to see Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan).
This is a medieval fortress located in the town of Blarney, near Cork.
Although earlier fortifications were built on the same site, the present fortress was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty, and dates from 1446. The Blarney famous stone is among the machicolations of the castle.
I admit that I found it really hard to believe that people actually kiss the stone to improve their eloquence... but about that - later:)
The castle surroundings themselves are beautiful - not only you can find ponds, streams, glades, meadows and massive trees - you can walk here all day and not hit the same spot twice. On the top of that - there are the beautiful gardens - including the so-called 'Poison Garden'.
Identifying plants and herbs used to be an extremely important skill. Knowledge of this kind could mean to be or not to be. Some plants could provoke vomiting or upset the stomach, but others - such as belladonna (Lilly of the Valey) if used incorrectly - could lead to death.
And as for the castle itself - the building isn’t very different from the other castles of the same period. What interested me most - were the engravings and inscriptions carved into the plaster. 'Earl's bedroom' stood out very much from the other rooms for this very reason. The chamber looked like something out of a modern horror film. The dim light coming through the narrow windows showed a terrifying interior that had been vandalised for years or even centuries. Where do people get this need to leave an engraved 'I was here'?
Remember the scene in 'The Shawshank Redemption' - when Brooks carved his name before deciding to end his life?
It always makes me wonder what drives people who leave behind mutilated trees or ‘inscribed’ bus stops. And at the same time - when I walked into Earl's 'bedroom' - I couldn't get enough of looking at the walls so 'decorated'.
The place was overwhelming and the air was thick with history and memories. I wonder what it was like in its heyday?
To breathe a little - we climbed the winding, slippery steps to the very top of the building - where we could have the honour of kissing the famous 'stone'. This is a task for the brave or an idiot - you have to lie on your back, grab the metal railing, lean back and kiss the stone from underneath. Not only that - you get a certificate at the end.
A paper proving that you are a complete loser. No, thanks.
But the views - beautiful. A place worth seeing, highly recommended to everyone. But mind you - take good shoes, it is extremely slippery on the way up!
How is your week? Wednesdays are the worst, isn't it?
Have a lovely rest of the week!
Yours,
Strega Azure
Pictures are my authorship if not stated otherwise.
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All rights reserved @strega.azure ©
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This is so sad to see as I had planned to visit Ireland two years ago and this castle was on the list but had to cancel my trip at the last moment. Hopefully, I'll manage to see it with my own eyes one day...
I think there is really no need to worry at all - this castle has been standing there for centuries. I think that it is safe to say - that it will stay there a little longer and it will wait for your visit when time is right!
Thank you very much for visiting my blog and your comment @gabrielatravels
That's such a lovely response, thank you for the encouraging a words! 🥰
My pleasure:)
Your description of Blarney Castle and its surroundings is captivating. The historical insights and exploration of the castle's interior provide rich context. The tradition of kissing the famous stone it's so extraordinary. And also those pics looks so interesting. Overall, it sounds like a memorable visit.😍
Thank you very much, I am glad you find my post interesting. Hope it has been entertaining as well! South of Ireland has much to offer in terms of tourism. I will certainly be going again soon. I will certainly share my impressions next time as well.
Thank you for your visit!
aaah you had sunlight hehe... Lots of lovely photos and that gorgeous pink blanket of petals !LUV Have you seen many castles in the UK? The ramparts of Blarney Castle remind me of Warwick castle a little. Love the views!!! I haven't been to Blarney Castle. Wasn't much point when we couldn't see anything :-( Maybe another time... although I feel like I have seen quite a few now in the UK.
This line... ROFLLLLLLLLLLLLLL (a perfectly placed bit of Shakespearian humour 😂😂😂) You crack me up!!!
I have been to Ireland twice. The first time I did a road trip from Dublin to the West Coast, then up into N.Ireland, across the North coast, back down through Belfast, and back to Dublin. We had the best time ever. The sun shone every day and it was gorgeous and warm. I retruned to England wondering what all the fuss about the Emerald Isle's weather was about. On my second trip I understood!!! It rained non-stop and the fog was so thick I had to drive at a snail's pace around the Ring of Kerry. We saw... N.O.T.H.I.N.G. except the inside of coffee shop after coffee shop !LOLZ. So pleased you had a lovely trip. One day, we'll have to have a little ol' road trip party together hehe 🥰
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Actually... there was orange warning down South, so weather was mental!. The wind was breaking umbrellas, snatching little dogs and snapping heads. ;)))
No, seriously. The weather was crazy. There was just enough sunshine to make it safe to say it was the middle of the day. Considering that on the islands it is usually either foggy-grey or (for a change :D) dusk - this day can be counted among the nice and sunny ones:)
Tree covered with pink-ish red flowers - that was huge rhododendron. It was really difficult to do get nice picture because all local influencers were shooting selfies there. I was watching them for a while. None of them really admired how beautiful and unique this massive tree is. The were just trying to get flattering their features frames - and would just walked off glued to their phones. Just... yeah:)
Oh yeah, Blarney Castle - really great place, but I really liked the area itself even more - especially pastures with horses, and path down the lake. Quiet and open. Space for thoughts, I really like it:)
You noticed! Was wondering if it will came across at least little bit funny. I am glad it did!
I am sorry you've got such a terrible weather. But again - it's part of the experience ;)
To this day it still amazes me that there are so many people here who drive convertibles. About 2 weeks a year (if at all) it is really warm without a trace of cloud in the sky.
Soo it is this stupidity, extreme optimism or just a deep belief in a warming climate??
Thank you for your visit Sam, I missed your insight soooo much!
🖤
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STOPThe castle is so beautiful. I wish i could visit it.
Glad you like my photos! I am sure you have plenty nice places nearby yourself to visit too:) Thank you for popping by!