Tuesday, August 15, 2017

BLARNEY CASTLE - IRELAND

August 14, 2017


Expat tours

If you do a 7 day tour around a country of course you can't see everything in details. It just gives you an overview of things to see or to do if you want to come back later.

On our list also was Blarney Castle, (whole history) which is most famous for its stone. The legend tells has the power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it.The word ‘Blarney’ was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth I and is described as ‘pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending’. The stone is set in the wall below the battlements and, to kiss it, one has to lean backwards - grasping an iron railing - from the parapet walk.

Only 3 men of our group kissed the stone, although they head no talking problems. The women found it too complicated to reach the stone and others were afraid of germs. As people pretend that I talk already like a waterfall it wasn't really necessary for me to kiss the stone.

In the grounds of the castle the Rock Close and its surroundings is a fascinating place of ancient trees and far more ancient stones which is believed to be a garden of druidic origin and a centre of worship in pre-Christian days. The place has an aura of magic and mystique with Wishing Steps, Witch's Kitchen, Druid's Cave and many other delights telling a story of centuries past.





The entrance



Brochures and souvenir shop








The castle from far, the hole was nice for a souvenir picture



Even a back pipe player was there, coming from Scotland ? And renovations going on.



I walked through the ruins



up and down


the tower



The view over the park was beautiful and so luscious green



I could see grazing cows from far



and a little ditch found its way through the park.




And then came something I had never seen in my life ! To protect the trees from frost and cold weather they were wearing crocheted "clothes" !





It looked so funny and colorful







Some of them were really very beautiful ! Maybe it gives you an idea how to protect your trees and you have something to do during rainy days !








And old house had become the "Gift" shop were the two coaches stood.



It was a wonderful walk through the park !

6 comments:

Rajesh said...

Wonderful tour of the castle. So much history here.

Lady Fi said...

What a wonderful place!

Billy Blue Eyes said...

The number of times I visited Ireland as a kid and I never had been to Blarney Castle

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I've read and heard about the Blarney Stone, but always wondered what it was like around it ... what a beautiful place and a fun walk. And I love the whimsical "sweaters" for the trees! Thanks for teaching me something and for the smiles!

Jaśmin said...

Very interesting castle.

Haddock said...

Lovely pics.
You are right, you can't see everything in details in such a short time.
And guess what, I was there (Ireland / Scotland) last week !!!

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I love writing, traveling and photography. . I am German, i live in Waterloo (15 km from Brussels) / Belgium since many years. Waterloo is a famous place to many tourists, because Napoleon lost his battle here against Wellington and other European countries.

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