One of the largest and best preserved of the ruined tower houses of Ireland, and seat of the MacCarthys, it has a complex of small chambers and staircases in the north end, which overlooks a high sheer cliff. The small NW wing is the oldest part, the massive main block being added in the late 16th century. The famous Blarney Stone kissed by tourists with a good head for heights is one of the lintels spanning the gaps between the inverted pyramidal corbels of the machicolated parapet added c1600 to make the tower even more impressive. There are remains of a large outer bawn and garden, plus ruins of an adjoining early 18th century house.

Written by  Mike Salter.

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Blarney Castle

Clan chieftain Cormac MacCarthy built the Blarney Castle over 600 years ago, adding the famous stone after supporting the Scots at Bannockburn in 1314. A grateful Robert the Bruce presented MacCarthy with the magical stone, which was added to the castle on his return. Or was it given to him by a witch MacCarthy saved from drowning? Or was it brought back to the Emerald Isle from the Crusades? Give it a great big kiss anyway'

 

Review posted 18th December 2007 by matt_b.

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