There are a few things on my travel bucket list still left to cross a line through. One of these is not very hygienic, a little bizarre and probably an urban legend but I got to tick it off when I hit the road in Ireland with my dad.
I’m talking about getting to kiss the Blarney Stone, a rock that is steeped in legend - you can find out more here.
The story goes that by placing your lips (try not to think about the millions of other people who have done exactly the same thing) on the stone that’s hanging thirty feet above the ground will give you the gift of the gab. Who wouldn’t want to give it a go and become a chatterbox for life?
We’d driven from Cork to hit the small and oh-so-pretty town of Blarney where the majestic castle sits centre stage. The lush green grounds welcomed us in as we wandered around feeling the sun warming our shoulders (a very different day compared to this one!).
I pulled myself away from Snapchatting it all on my phone and followed my dad across the grounds. It is one of the most peaceful places I have been and I kind of wished we’d arrived earlier with a full picnic hamper to really enjoy the sunny spot.
However, time was not on our side. We’d come an hour or so before closing and almost had the place to ourselves but as the grounds are so vast we had to get a wiggle on to reach the stone. The Lonely Planet guide book had warned that this place is usually heaving with tourists and was frankly not worth the hype. We ignored their advice and thankfully they were wrong, even on a sunny August day it was pretty much empty.
So, we left the gushing waterfalls and crumbling wishing steps to walk down the skinny tree-lined path, where cute jumpers were artfully wrapped around their trunks, up to the castle.
Climbing the many dimly lit stone steps, we spiralled our way up to the top of the tower. Once we’d emerged into the sunshine it was clear to see that the view was well worth the effort. You could see for miles across sparkling emerald green fields, tumbling hills and nearby chocolate box villages. It was tough pulling your gaze from the view and over to the famous Blarney Stone.
I mean, just look at those views! < insert heart eyed emoji here!>
Holding onto the railings, we cautiously walked down to a man sat at the far end of the castle walls. He sat there, day in day out, to help tourists get into the perfect position to hang over the edge and kiss the stone. He was very patient and when two women who were waiting before us decided they didn’t fancy this after all, he just chuckled that not everyone has a head for heights.
I’ve never had this problem, I mean I’ve jumped out of a plane so this was going to be fine. Fine.
Except it was all just a bit strange…
Lying on my back as he held one arm over my stomach, telling me to keep inching backwards and tipping my head as far back as my neck would let it. I knew it was safe (ish), there are metal bars below, plus ones to hold onto, so I wasn’t going to fall but the sensation of leaning off a high building is still pretty unnatural!
‘Almost there love, now kiss it!’ He encouraged me. At this, I got the giggles at how gross this actually was, plus the fact that I had bright red lipstick on and was unintentionally leaving my mark for the next person.
200 years ago you would have been held over the edge by your ankles so I think we can count ourselves lucky. It was not something you could do with a straight face though.
If you ever get the chance to kiss the stone for yourself then please do. It’s a strange sensation but so much fun, plus look out for my red lippie!
*This trip was kindly organised by Tourism Ireland, but as always, all views are 100% my own.
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