Blarney and the Kissing of the Stone

One of our recommended and intended places to visit was Blarney.

Unfortunately the national bus strike in Ireland had all but ruled that out until the cry rang out, "Bugger it, we're going anyway!"...... no more Murphy's at breakfast for Mrs B then!

A very entertaining taxi ride later we were at the beautiful village and visiting it's famous castle and more importantly kissing it's very famous Blarney Stone!

Whether "Jacob's Pillow", a present from Robert the Bruce, "Lia Fail" or "The Stone of Ezel", to kiss the Stone you have to climb up over 100 very steep stone steps within a tight spiral staircase (meant for defence not tourists) before being bent over backwards across a gap over the castle's parapets to reach the fabled stone.

Not for the fainthearted especially if you suffer from vertigo but as the extra shows (very flatteringly) I did it and so did Mrs B.

The 2nd extra shows the view from the castle down to the gardens below.

No Little People were harmed in the blipping of the is blip.

Sponsored by Murphy's fine Irish stout (other Irish stouts are available if you're brave enough to ask for them down this neck of the woods).