Blarney Castle, Cork, Ireland
Date Visited: May 18, 2014
Time Spent: 3 hours
Website: http://www.blarneycastle.ie/
Ever wish you had the luck of the Irish on your side? Well, if you're brave enough to face your not so impending doom, then climb up the Blarney Castle and give the Blarney Stone a big ol' smooch and bestow yourself with the gift of eloquence!
The Blarney Stone may be the entire reason you make your way to this glorious castle, but you'll end up being enchanted by the castle itself, as well as the greenest gardens you ever did see. The castle ruins make you feel as though you're about to be transported back in time.
Unlike many similar tourist attractions in the United Kingdom, Blarney leaves you to explore on your own. There is no set tour, no huge display information boards, (though information is easily accessible). You are a true explorer, and you WILL find something magical here.
Watch your step, faeries underfoot
Once you've climbed the castle steps and have reached the line to kiss the infamous stone, you're greeted with amazing views not only of the landscape surrounding the castle, but of the inner building itself. You can look over and see all the floors below you, a real treat!
Kissing the stone is probably one of the most exhilarating things you will do in your life... unless you're one of those crazy people who base jump, then I'm sorry, nothing will ever get your blood pumping the same way again. You trudge along in line, laughing on the inside at stranger's remarks about how nervous they are, and so on. You think to yourself: "pfft I'm obviously braver than everyone here." ... then you get to the front and realize there's only two metal bars and an Irish man's hands keeping you from plummeting head first to your death. (Nothing like a front row ticket to your own demise, though!)
Surprisingly one of the better kisses I've had in life
It's not as scary as it used to be, as before the invention of modern safety regulations, people had to be lowered down by their ankles just to have the same opportunity, requiring more balls than half the pilgrims have today. Which makes you wonder how many of us actually deserve to speak with a silver tongue, and who should remain silent for the betterment of humanity. #DeepThoughts (obviously this thought came to me AFTER I kissed the stone. Thank the stone for that pearl of philosophy there).
After you've stared death in the face and explored all you can, make your way back to present day and get yourself something Irish and yummy in the cafe on site. Connect to that free WiFi and post all the photos and witty captions on Instagram with your newly found gift of the gab. Maybe head to a bar afterwards and see how eloquent those 5 seconds of fear have made you. Even if it didn't work, you'll think it did after a few pints of Guinness!
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