Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Don't Kiss The Blarney Stone


Seriously, don't kiss it!
That is my husband bending over backwards
to kiss the Blarney Stone.
We just returned from a trip to Ireland to 
celebrate our 25th anniversary and while there 
we visited the famous Blarney Castle built in the 1400's.
Legend has it that if you kiss the Blarney Stone 
you will be blessed with the gift of gab.
First of all, my husband is the last person on earth
 who needs help in this category!
Second of all, he is somewhat of a germophobe.
So I was a little surprised that he would kiss a stone 
that hundreds of thousands of people kiss each year.
But he kissed it...
and 2 days later he had the worst cold 
he's ever had in his life!
After doing a little research before writing this post,
I found that the Blarney Stone is ranked as the most unhygienic tourist attraction in the world!!!
So, if you go, just blow it a kiss!
That's what I did.
I did, however, do something that is uncharacteristic for me!
I actually climbed to the top of Blarney Castle.
I'm slightly chlostrophobic AND I have vertigo.
To get to the top of the castle,
you climb a steep circular staircase in very tight quarters.
You are basically spinning in a circle! Not a good thing for someone with vertigo. But my sneaky husband convinced me to go up just a little ways to check it out. Well, once you go up "a little ways" you have to go all the way up. There is no coming down the same way!
So, I did it!
And, I'm glad I did.
But, I will never do it again!


The view from the top...

I have to say, the countryside reminded me a lot of
Georgia and Tennessee!

After we climbed back down the 90feet, we toured the grounds.




There was a beautiful fern garden...


And, some cool trees...



I love the moss on this one.

This redwood is from the U.S. and has only been planted at
Blarney Castle for 100 years.
It's huge!

It even had a spur that created another large tree...


I the 1800's, the family who owned Blarney Castle, 
lost their first children and the wife demanded a new house built on elevated ground.
This is Blarney House...
could you live there?
Lots of nice detail...



If we can't get in the door, 
can we go in through a window?

I want this little guy above my gutters!

How long would it take to grow a hedge like that?!!!


This was a wonderful trip!
If you ever get a chance to go to Ireland,
visit Blarney Castle,
but just blow a kiss to the germy stone!
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14 comments:

  1. Wow! Thanks for sharing I know you had a wonderful time!

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  2. Great Photo's makes me want to go there. Thanks!

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  3. Ireland is on my bucket list - now you're making it a priority - what GORGEOUS photos - and yes I could live there LMHO - I'd have a blog conference once a year - called the Blogger's Blarney Fest LOL
    XOXO

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  4. This is the most interesting post ever!!! I love all the photos and I am most amazed by the trees. They are totally enchanting :)
    I am so happy that you are taking so many photos and sharing your adventures with us . . . these are places that I will never see in my life time and I am delighted to be able to tag along with you.
    Thank you,
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  5. I went to Ireland when I was in college. It was one of the most amazing places I've ever been. Can't wait to go back someday. Beautiful pics, thanks for sharing at Flaunt it Friday. :)

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  6. Oh, I have always wanted to visit Ireland. Someday!

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  7. What beautiful pictures! Ireland and Scotland are on my bucket list :) My husband is adopted and was only told two things about his birth parents....he's from Scot/Irish descent and his mother was beautiful. He is dying to go as much as I am! How cool!

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  8. What a magical place. Your photos are amazing. One day I will get to visit Ireland.
    Visiting from SITS Saturday Sharfest. Now following via Bloglovin.
    Barbara @ www.allmylivesnow.com

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  9. Visited Blarney when my now grown and gone children were very small - thanks for sharing, you brought back many wonderful memories. I didn't make it up that staircase though, my husband and children went without me; I made it around a couple of circles and then forced my way back down again past everyone!!!

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  10. I hope your hubby's back spine is ok after such a bending kiss!
    Wonderful photos, all of them - but I especially love the beautiful nature pics: the red ivy on the stone wall, the green meadow surrounded by grey trees, the intricate garden and or course the purple crocus in the fallen leaves...

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  11. Looks beautiful and sounds wonderful! Happy anniversary...what a great way to celebrate. I'd love to go someday...my ancestors are from Limerick. Blessings, D@TheShadyPorch

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  12. Have always wanted and some day I will! Great pictures by the way! Love the red wood tree. Does anyone know if all red woods grow in wonky ways? I want the gargoyle. Did you know they're for protection? As for the Blarney Stone, like your husband I have no need any help in that way. However, just for the sake of saying I had done it, I would love to try. Some major problems there, though. Can get on the ground but can't get back up? As for the bending backwards, nope! So like you I would blow it a kiss! Well done in climbing the tower. Other than the tower, can you tour within the old castle? I think the wife just wanted a new house.

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  13. Shame about the cold, but it made for a great story!

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