Information Blarney Ireland
The centre of the village features The Square, which is the most rudimentary village square you could find, surprising given Blarney’s dependence on visitors. The Square is no more than a grass field that in the past was used for markets. Blarney Castle holds the famous Stone, at the top of the old keep. The castle itself stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the River Martin. The McCarthy clan, whose head was nicknamed Strongman, built the castle in 1446, but it was the site of an earlier fortress. The word blarney has come to be associated with nonsense or charm, and stems from the apocryphal story featuring Strongman’s heir and descendant, Lord Blarney, and Elizabeth I’s emissary, Earl of Leicester. Leicester was in dispute with the McCarthys about property and land ownership. McCarthy didn’t want to forsake his land or castle, so he kept talking evasively, never reaching a point. When reports of the stalemate got to the queen, she is said to have uttered “This is just more Blarney!” Legends about the Blarney Stone are numerous. One of an international flavour says it was brought to Ireland by Jeremiah the prophet, another that it was brought from the Holy Land by a crusader with an interest in trinkets. You should come early in the morning to the stone if you feel you need the gift of the gab. Queues can stretch a good distance down the castle stairs. However, the castle itself is impressive, with the Great Hall and its fireplace, the Young Ladies’ room and the bedroom of the Earl which features a set of large windows.
Attractions Blarney Ireland
Argideen Heritage - Clonakilty
Located on a 135 acre Dairy Farm, which is located just off of the R600 between Clonakilty and Timoleague in South West Cork. The Arigideen River Valley is unique as well as being beautiful in that it has a very high concentration of Historical sites and is a great source of folklore. The Valley has connections with Michael Collins, Henry Ford, John F Kennedy, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, Donal Cam O' Sullivan Bere and William Penn to mention just a few
Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills - Ballincollig
Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills Heritage Centre is a unique industrial complex which meanders along the bank of the River Lee. The Mills were established in 1794 by Charles Henry Leslie. Eleven years later when Napoleon's control of France posed a grave threat to the British, the British Board of Ordnance bought the Mills from Leslie. Along with this the Army Barracks was built in the town to protect the supply of gunpowder. By the mid 1800s the Mills were one of the largest industrial establishments in the Cork area.
Barryscourt Castle - Carrigtwohill
Barryscourt Castle was the seat of the Barry family from the 12th to the 17th centuries. The present castle is a fine example of a 15th century tower house with 16th century additions and alterations. The bawn wall with three corner towers is largely intact. The ground floor of the keep houses an exhibition on the history of the Barrys and Barryscourt Castle.
Blarney Castle - Home of the Blarney Stone - Blarney
Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's oldest and most historic castles. It was built around 1446. An ancient stronghold of the MacCarthys, Lords of Muskerry and one of the strongest fortresses in Munster, its walls are eighteen feet thick in places. Located on the parapet of the castle is the famous "Blarney Stone". According to local legend, after kissing this stone, you will have the gift of eternal eloquence, or "the gift of the gab". To kiss the stone, you must first lie on your back, then leaning your head backwards and downwards, you kiss the underside of the stone. The last admission to the castle and grounds is 30 minutes before closing.
Blarney Woolen Mills - Blarney
The presence of the Woolen Mills during the Famine shielded Blarney from the worst effects of the famine, due to its employment of local workers. The success story at the mills continued until a disastrous fire in 1869. By August 1871, the mill was once again operational with a labour force of 222. In 1976 Chris Kelleher, himself a mill worker, bought the old mill property. Within a short period of time Chris and his family transformed the mill into what is perhaps the largest quality craft shop in Ireland.
