Nigel's Photo Blog

The image below does not represent some form of torture, but an experience for which visitors willingly climb up many steps to the roof and Blarney Castle in County Cork and pay for the privilege of lying backwards over the roof of the castle. This is known as "kissing the Blarney Stone", a ritual which generates the castle substantial funds in revenue. Location is 265km SW of Dublin , Ireland's capital. Visitors go through this ritual because kissing the stone is a long standing tradition, intended to confer a magical eloquence on the individual concerned. The stone is set in the wall, below the castle battlements. Kissing the stone entails the visitor being grasped by the feet and suspended backwards under the parapet.  Blarney Stone Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle, Cork This afternoon, my focus is on Blarney Castle  which lies very close to the pretty village of Blarney in the south of Ireland, just 8km from the city of Cork. This site attracts high volumes of visitors each year whose prime objective is to visit and kiss the famous Blarney Stone which is located at roof level with access entailing a climb up some 127 steps. Kissing the Blarney Stone, Blarney Castle Today, the castle remains extend to just the keep which essentially comprises a 15th century tower house inside which the vaulted first floor was once the Great Hall. View of castle from gardens Interior of Blarney Castle Key aspects of the facility: Kissing the Blarney Stone entails being suspended backwards under the parapet. This act is believed to confer a magical eloquence on the participant. In addition to the castle, there are 60 acres of parkland, gardens, avenues and arboretums. Rock Close, a supposed myst...