Blarney Lips on the Blarney Stone

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

It’s one of my favorite days of the year. I will be sure to make a toast to all of you with a pint or two of Guinness. Mr. TWS says that the best Guinness is that which is poured in Ireland, but a pint in a good Irish pub here in the U.S. will have to do for now.

These photos were taken at Blarney Castle. It was the third day of a wonderful ten day driving trip through Ireland. It is such a beautiful country and the people really are warm, friendly, and fun to be around — it’s not just a myth.

Towers and grounds of Blarney Castle, Ireland

Towers and grounds of Blarney Castle

 

Although Blarney Castle is a major tourist attraction, it wasn’t very busy since we were there off-season in the morning. The grounds and the surrounding area are quite beautiful — any time of year, I’m sure.

Blarney Castle, Ireland

Blarney Castle

In the photo below you’ll see how I got nicknamed “Blarney Lips” by my husband and the friend we were traveling with. I kissed the Blarney Stone; they did not. I had faith that the sanitizer applied to the stone between each kiss would be sufficient protection. Before my Blarney Stone experience, I didn’t realize that you kiss the stone by leaning backwards over the edge of the roof assisted by a guide. It’s a rather strange feeling, but I was very secure with my trusted guide holding on to me. I’m very glad that I kissed the stone, but I’m still waiting for the gift of eloquence to kick in.

Kissing the Blarney Stone, Ireland

Kissing the Blarney Stone

Without further ado — here’s to your health!

Sláinte!

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22 thoughts on “Blarney Lips on the Blarney Stone

  1. Kerry-Ann

    Cheers to you to (though admittedly it isn’t a guiness). What a great shot! I love the angle of the shot. So you did kiss the stone! Brave you! I didn’t realise you had to do it leaning backwards.

    1. Cathy Post author

      Yep – I can’t remember which of them came up with it first, but they got a lot of enjoyment out of calling me that!

  2. Michael Figueiredo

    Yay! You’re on the same wavelength as me, Cathy. I put up a picture of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to Blarney Castle or County Cork…Maybe next time. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!

    1. Cathy Post author

      Thank you so much, Julia — blushing here. 🙂 Yes, it’s wonderful whenever you can avoid the crowds at these places. It makes for a whole different experience.

  3. inka

    I don’t see at all that you are missing the gift of eloquence. I can’t say how you talk, but in writing you are pretty eloquent (can one be eloquent in writing?)

    1. Cathy Post author

      That’s a good question, Leigh. Here’s what I found on sacredsites.com: “More than 300,000 people come to kiss the Blarney Stone each year”. But I couldn’t find historical numbers. Regardless, that’s a lot of kissers!

  4. Mike Collins

    Cool Pic Cathy… It is kind of scary hanging over the edge isn’t it? Without the bars underneath I would never have done it.

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