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Blarney Stone

Myth and mystery of the Blarney Stone has been shattered by new research

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The Blarney Stone is a block of stone which was built into the battlements of Blarney Castle in 1446 AD. The legendary stone is shrouded in myth and mystery and according to tradition, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness. For hundreds of years it has been believed that the stone had mythical or important historical origins. However, new research has just shattered the myths surrounding one of Ireland’s most iconic tourist attractions.

Blarney castle, which is located about 8 kilometres from Cork in Ireland, has attracted millions of people from all around the world eager to kiss the Blarney stone and receive the “gift of the gab”.  Kissing the famous stone involves leaning over backwards on the parapet’s edge, supported by an assistant, and grasping onto some iron bars to access down to the stone.

Kissing the Blarney Stone

Kissing the Blarney Stone. Photo source: Blarney Castle

For centuries, legends have abounded about the origins of the stone.  One early story involves the goddess Clíodhna. Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, the builder of Blarney Castle, appealed to Clíodhna for assistance when faced with a legal problem. She told MacCarthy to kiss the first stone he found in the morning on his way to court, and he did so, with the result that he pleaded his case with great eloquence and won. Thus the Blarney Stone is said to impart "the ability to deceive without offending." MacCarthy then incorporated it into the parapet of the castle.

Other myths tell that it was a stone brought back to Ireland from the Crusades – the ‘Stone of Ezel’ behind which David hid on Jonathan’s advice when he fled from his enemy, Saul. A few claim it was a segment of bluestone taken from Stonehenge of that it is the stone that gushed water when struck by Moses.

The proprietors of Blarney Castle list several other explanations of the origins of the stone on their website. The stories listed include one suggesting that the stone was presented to Cormac McCarthy by Robert the Bruce in 1314 in recognition of his support in the Battle of Bannockburn.  Another legend says it was Jacob’s Pillow, brought to Ireland by the prophet Jeremiah. It was also said to be the deathbed pillow of St Columba on the island of Iona. Legend says it was then removed to mainland Scotland, where it served as the prophetic power of royal succession, the Stone of Destiny.

Blarney Stone View

View of the Blarney Stone from the ground. Photo source: Wikipedia

Sadly it appears that the origin of the Blarney Stone is not as glamorous as the legends make out.  A team of geologists from the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum studied a historic microscopic slide, taken from the Blarney Stone in the 19 th century, and discovered that the Blarney is a limestone made of a certain type of mineral calcite which is unique to the region of Ireland in which it is based. 

"This strongly supports views that the stone is made of local carboniferous limestone, about 330m years old, and indicates that it has nothing to do with the Stonehenge bluestones, or the sandstone of the current 'Stone of Destiny', now in Edinburgh Castle," said Dr John Faithfull, curator at the Hunterian museum.

While many myths and legends have been shown to be based on real events of the past, it appears that this is one legend that has its roots in fanciful imagination and creative story-telling.  However, it unlikely to do anything to stop the tourists flocking to the famous site in the hope that the stories about the stone’s magical properties may in fact be real. 

Featured image: Kissing the stone in 1897, before the safeguards were installed. Photo source: Wikipedia

By April Holloway

 

Comments

There's too many possibilities f error for me to accept findings based on a purported "microscopic slide" from the 1800s. The people viewing the slide don't even know when exactly it was made.

Justbod's picture

Perhaps the 'truth' of the origins of the stone do not matter as much as the ideas that people imbue it with. This level of focus creates it's own energy and power - which is a kind of magic in itself. Just witness the power of placebo.

Sculptures, carvings & artwork inspired by a love of history & nature: www.justbod.co.uk

 

 

 

I heard that the locals pee on it, just fyi

In truth , I have no need to kiss the Blarney Stone (albeit I would like to have the opportunity) . My dear old fither infused enough blarney into me , at a very early age , that at 79 , I'm sure that I have plenty to last me for the rest of the trip . Erin Go Braugh .

aprilholloway's picture

April

April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan.

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