It is said that there is famous rock at Blarney Castle, near Cork, Ireland that is known for its legends, humorous as they may seem. To kiss the Blarney Stone is to secure a fluent, flattering, but not over-sincere tongue.
Its origin is attributed to the Phoenician colony that inhabited the island, and that the Syrians and Carthaginians became its custodians. It was said that some adventurous Carthaginians stole the popular stone and moved it to Minorca, and when forced by storm into Cork harbor they left it at its present spot.
The story of the Blarney stone goes like this: the Spaniards were urging the Irish chieftains to harass the English. Cormac McCarthy, who held the castle, postponed his lordship day after day with promises and false pretexts, until he became the laughing stock of the English ministers, and his delusive speeches were stamped with the title of “Blarney”.
Custodians of the castle appear to take advantage of their situation, and had been known to selectively state which stone is the Blarney Stone, depending on the willingness of the traveler and their ability to climb. The disclosed location would go so far as to leave a person dangling over a stone positioned as high as one hundred and twenty five feet up from the ground, with that person suspended by their feet in order to touch their lips to the Blarney stone. In other cases, for those of old age or a weakened condition, the stone had “recently fallen” and landed just outside the doorway.
It is said that the stone bears a very faint inscription: ” Cormac McCarthy fortis me fieri facit, A.d. 1446.” This was the year of the rebuilding of the castle, and the stone is said to have remained, though its origin and travels are subject to many far-fetched tales. This story was found in the book Curiosities of popular customs and of rites, ceremonies, observances printed in 1897.
Indeed a great topic to read and learn about too. Thanks bud