BLARNEY STONE

The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is a long-standing tradition, intended to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence (blarney). The castle was built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy -- its walls are 18 feet thick (necessary to thwart attacks by Cromwellians and William III's troops). Thousands of tourists a year still visit the castle. Little actually remains of the castle today except the keep.

The origins of the Blarney Stone's magical properties aren't clear, but one legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly.

The Blarney Stone is set in the wall below the castle battlements, and, in order to kiss it , the visitor is grasped by the feet and suspended backward under the parapet.