We spent only 2 nights at Cork, and since our visit coincided with the Easter holidays, not a lot of shops were open. Luckily, the Blarney Castle was open to the public all year round. So, I had the chance to visit the castle with its famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that a witch gave the stone to the lord of the castle. And if you kiss the stone, you'll gain the gift of eloquence. The stone is situated at the top of the castle and to get there, you have to climb a spiral staircase. The staircase was narrow and quite steep. Not suitable at all for claustrophobic and altophobic people. The view from the top of the castle, however, made the climb worthwhile. If you're wondering, I didn't kiss the stone. First, it would be a 'khurafat' (I think that's the word..too lazy to explain, plus my religious knowledge is not that good) Second, you have to actually lie down on your back before you can kiss the stone and there would be a guy helping you into position. Who would want to do that? Third, I can't differentiate the stone from the normal stone surrounding it. Sure, it's a bit shiny and smooth, but then it could be because there were several thousands,even millions of people who have kissed the stone and in that process, eroding the surface of the stone, making it smooth.
Around the castle, there were also some druidic ruins such as a druid's cave, a sacrificial altar and a witch's kitchen. There was also a set of wishing steps where if you make a wish before climbing the step, it would come true. Heh, if things were that easy, I would have been a millionaire by now :P
the famous Blarney Castle..
would my wish come true? hmmm..
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