Infectious kiss

Posted by Elizabeth from Dundee on 31/8/06

I've got a leg in plaster at the moment and when I visited Blarney Castle, I just couldn't face the climb to the top. If you find yourself in this position, don't panic. An elderly local was quick to reassure me that if you kiss someone who has just kissed the Stone, the gift is passed along. So if you're stuck like me, I guess you just have to be sure to travel with a good friend!

Surprise Vow Renewal

Posted by Timothy Morgan from Orange County, California on 15/11/06

While on a bus tour thru southern Ireland, I learned from someone who had been this way before, that there was a beautiful manicured lawn with the most perfect tower backdrop, that is often used for weddings. Having already found an ornate claddath (spelling?) ring in Galway, I asked to see my wifes wedding ring on the bus ride to the castle, and then refused to give it back, as I removed my own and put them in my poccket. We where traveling with an Irish band, and I had talked two of their members into singing and playing a whistle for an improtu ceremony. There just happened to be a ministor in our group, so as she was escorted to my by her two sister's in-law and her dad, the song they performed was 'Grace'. She burst into tears as I knelt on one knee and I asked her if she would agree to stay my wife. We shared vows again on our past fourteen years and hopes for the future, the minister blessed the rings, and we ran back to the bus as the rain started to fall.

TOTAL FREAKOUT!!!!

Posted by Damian from Hemel Hempstead on 30/4/07

I have a real fear of heights, but i thought I would brave with my girlfriend who is Irish. Working my way to the top, no-one ever told me that the stone was over an edge!!! Got to the top and a freakout wasnt even the word to use, i think the guys helping out up top used the phrase "i've never seen anyone this bad before" obviously then taking a photo of what he called real fear!!! No doubt he will remember me when i return but I am determined to conquer it and would happily supply a photo of the before and after!!!

Blarney Certified Professional Speaker

Posted by Thom Singer from Austin, Texas on 28/7/07

As a professional business speaker of Irish decent I could not pass up the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone while on a vacation in Ireland. Many people said that this stop on our Irish adventure was too "touristy" and recommended that we skip Blarney. It turned out to be one of the best places to visit, the grounds were beautiful and the castle was interesting (although a bit scary to lean back when your kissing time arrives). But best of all, I am now under the spell of eloquence from the stone...and I am not even going to raise my speaking fee.

My story and I'm stickin' to it!

Posted by Elaine Skrodenis from Scottville, MI on 19/12/07

Please don't let my last name fool you. My great-grandfather was a Cassidy and from Ireland. My greatest dream is to visit Ireland some day. On St. Patrick's day, I usually speak or try to speak with an Irish brogue. Since I am known to have a keen sense of humor and always a goof ball, I tell every one, "Ya see, when it comes to da Blarney Stone, I did na kiss it, I et it!" To which they say, "We BELIEVE IT!!!"

Wow... Thats all I have to say.. Wow

Posted by Ashley Tate from Tarkio, Missouri on 9/1/08

I am 15 and I'm a sophomore in High School... well this summer a teacher and me and a few other students went on a European trip... we went to the Blarney Castle as one of our stops... Most of the people decided that they wanted to kiss the Blarney stone... so I decided to do it too... Wow it was amazing... the addrenalin of knowing that you're kissing a monument is amazing... I can't wait to go back... I loved it so much... and seeing as how I have Irish in me (can deffinately tell from my hair lol) ... I deffinately enjoyed Ireland the most

di

Posted by madison from marion ohio on 23/1/08

Hi, I am from Ohio and wanted to tell you that me and my di (di is a competition where you come up with plays and skits and present them to appriasers who judge you by your performance) team posted this online and were wondering if you could give us some imformation on the blarney stone. We would appreciate any feedback that you can offer as this is an exciting experience for all of us.

My son said he kissed Barney!

Posted by Colette Bert from Washington State on 17/3/08

We can't wait to come back and kiss the stone again in 2009....we were in Ireland when my son was a little boy. When he got to the top and the men were bending him backwards he said, "I am going to kiss the Barney Stone!"....so sweeeeet.... I love you, You love me, We're an Irish Family!!!

Two sisters kiss the stone!

Posted by Berniece Banks from Washington State on 26/3/08

My sister and myself both went to Blarney Castle and had the opportunity to ascend the steps and to kiss the stone. It was a little intimidating for us, not because we were afraid of heights, but because I was 3 months post-op from an ACL reconstruction surgery on my left knee, and my sister was 3 months pre-op for an ACL reconstruction on HER left knee. We both got to the Blarney Stone, kissed it and despite our knees almost giving way..We wouldn't have missed it for the world. We were both in our 30s at the time.

WE KISSED THE BLARNEY STONE!!!!!!

Posted by Ward family from Staffs, England on 29/3/08

When I leaned over to kiss the stone I suddenly realised I wasn't alone, For all the voices in my head All proclaimed at once and said, The gift of Blarney is here for the taking And a life of eloquence is your's in the making!!!!!!! See, it's working already!

I finally have a reason to back my mouth!!

Posted by Erin Chronister from Fort Smith, Arkansas on 30/6/08

I have always dreamed of going to Ireland just to kiss the Blarney Stone, and once I did that i'd consider myself a happy person and content to go home. 3 weeks ago my wish came true. While traveling with Tauck i led the way for our group to kiss the stone. As I leaned back all I could think about was how amazing it was to kiss a stone that so many famous people before me had done. Once I got back to the bus, everyone said "Erin, there was no need for you to kiss it, you had already swallowed it!!" I just smiled and said, but now i have a reason to back it up. And i have my picture to show all my friends!!!

No, Nay, Never!

Posted by Eileen Walker from Columbia, Maryland USA on 26/9/08

I visited Ireland in May 2008 with my husband, son, daughter-in-law and not quite 2 year old grandson. We stopped at Blarney on our way from Dublin to Cork City and my husband, son and daughter-in-law said they were going to climb to the top of the castle. I told them I would stay below with my grandson but they insisted that I come along. I said I would go part way up and then turn around and come back if it was too scary. Well, once you start up there is no coming down until you get to the top so up I went to the top. Then I said I wasn't going to kiss the stone but after watching my daughter-in-law kiss it, I handed my glasses to my husband and got down and kissed it myself. I even have the picture, plus one my son took, to prove it. I am 72 and not very adventurous but this was really fun.

People to People

Posted by Emily S. from Grand Rapids, Michigan on 11/12/08

I went with People to People about 2 years ago to Ireland and we went to kiss the stone. It was amazing, we waited about an hour to get in to get up the steps to get to the top. It was really hard to climb the stairs! But when I kissed the stone I really didn't feel like I was talking more than usual but its a legand!

Double the gab?

Posted by Danny L Sullivan from Elko, Nevada on 4/6/09

I have been fortunate enough to visit Ireland 4 times now to see the home of my ancestors and have twice trekked to the top of Blarney to kiss the stone....does that give me double the gift of gab? The castle is more enchanting that I ever dreamed! I feel completely connected to Ireland and its people.

Mr.

Posted by John Justice from Lake Ariel Pa. USA on 23/10/09

My wife gave me a trip to Ireland for my 60th birthday. I had always talked of returning to where my Fathers parents were born. I told my wife that I needed to kiss the Blarney Stone to make the trip complete and I did. The owner of the B&B we stayed at the night before told us that the stone was fine but don't miss out on the beautiful gardens that surround it. We took her advise and glad we did. It was the highlight of our trip.