Blarney Castle was built in Kilcrea around 1446. It is the home of the world reknown Blarney Stone. Legend has it that the Blarney Stone formed half of the original Stone of Scone and was given to Cormac Mc Carthy, Lord of Blarney, in 1314 by Robert the Bruce in gratitude for boosting his battalions with 40,000 troops during the victorious Battle of Bannockburn. But it wasn't until Cormac McCarthy saved an old woman from drowning that he learned the secret of the stone: that it would bestow the gift of eloquence, and the gift of gab upon anyone who kissed it. Since that time people have come from the four corners of the earth to kiss the Blarney Stone. Now in front of you , stands an authentic Blarney Stone, rich in the traditions and mystic powers, bestowing good luck and eloquence upon all those who kiss it.
Moy Castle...
Moy Castle was built on the island of Mull around 1350. It was charted by Hector the Stern, the son of Iain Dubh(Black John). It was said that he went to the MacFadyen Cheif and asked if he may build a castle. The Cheif told him he may build one no bigger than the skin of an ox. Using his wits he cut the skin into a long skinny piece probably no bigger than a shoestring in width and thus got an area more satifatory to build a castle.
I found out just recently that my family is from the Clan Maclaine, though there were many disagreements to it at first on whether my family were of Maclean decendents or Maclaine. Through further research and from the help of friends we found out that it was in fact true that we were indeed Maclaines of Lochbuie.
Here are some great pics of Moy Castle that Micheal Shultz, a fellow clanman was so gracious to allow me to have them.
