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Kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland
No trip to Ireland would be complete without kissing the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that those who kiss the stone will be given the “gift of the gab”, the ability to speak with great eloquence and persuasion. Perhaps this is why millions of people, including presidents, statesmen, actors and writers, have made the trip to Blarney Castle to kiss the fabled stone.
Blarney Castle is located in the town of Blarney, about 5 miles (8km) from Cork in the South of Ireland. While the natural beauty of this scenic part of Ireland draws in plenty of tourists, many make the trip specifically to kiss the stone. Visitors who are afraid of heights should be prepared: kissing the Blarney stone can be a hair-raising experience. A tourist must first climb up to the castle heights. Then, in order to kiss the stone, the tourist must lean over backwards from the castle parapet. An assistant will be on hand to help out with the process.
After performing the Blarney Stone ritual, visitors can explore the grounds and gardens of Blarney Castle. The Blarney Woollen Mills are also a popular tourist destination in Ireland. Getting to the town of Blarney from Cork is simple. Bus Eireann run coaches between the two towns, and the same route can easily be done with private transport. There is also an airport in Cork.
Opening hours vary according to the seasons, so check in advance. Generally, however, Blarney Castle is open from 9.00am until 6.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 9.00am until 5.30pm on Sundays.
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