Family Journeys: Blarney

I am guessing that many of you have heard of Blarney. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Ireland. Almost every tourist has memories of Blarney. I was told by a few people that we needed to go to a "Real" castle and that Blarney was "Just a tower". If that is true, then we have a real treat in store for us when we do go see a larger castle. My first site of the "Tower" was of awe and amazement. I didn't realize it would be quite so big. It was much more then I had anticipated. Everyone of us at one point or another uttered the word, WOW. Below is the first real good look you get of the tower as you approach it.
To think that we were in a place that was around during Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII was beyond explanation.

To look up at the Blarney Castle is to be left speechless. All we could do was think of the many people that lived here in the past. There is actually people who once called this home!

Below is a picture of Babby and Tater-tot right next to the castle. It was so awesome to be able to walk up to it and touch it.

Badgers cave was built right into the bottom of the castle. You are able to walk in but it is very dark and a bit muddy and wet. The older kids had a blast exploring.

(remember you can click on any image to enlarge it)

Below is the pictures we got of the dungeon. An actual dungeon! How cool is that?

Our son within the walls of the dungeon. Too bad we don't have one of these at home. :0)

Inside, part of the dungeon, looking out.

It was amazing to look at the castle from the outside but to see it from the inside was even more amazing! Below are some pictures that I took while looking out the windows and from the top.

It was wonderful to see the tremendous work that was put into the architecture of this magnificent structure.

Below are a few pictures that were taken from the inside.

I was able to stand above the Murder Hole but unfortunately unable to get a better photo. The room was very small and my camera lens couldn't pull back far enough. If you look closely you can see through the protective screen down to the bottom.

Babby is in front of one of the castle windows. Not all of the windows were built so deep into the walls.

Below I am standing in front of one of the entry gates.

According to Irish folklore, anyone who kisses the stone receives the ability to speak with eloquence, or “The Gift of the Gab.”

I was not willing to hang from the castle upside down to kiss the stone so instead I took a picture with the man who helped my children as well as Samantha Brown get the "Gift of the gab". (My children do not need that gift. It was naturally put upon them. They gab very well on their own.)

I could not find a link to the episode with Samantha Brown but did find the credits which have her kissing the stone. Click here to see

Sadly I did not get a picture of Paul kissing the stone. We had to go up separate since we have a little one. She was allowed to go but climbing to the top of Blarney is a bit exhausting. Neither of us wanted to do that while carrying a toddler. In the picture below, above the top window is where you hang to kiss the stone.

While waiting for Paul to get the "Gift of the gab", we took turns taking pictures with this beautiful tree. I have always adored the trees of Ireland as well as England. They are just as amazing in person as they are in photographs.

Tater-Tot and Sunshine went for a little stroll in this beautiful countryside. Tater-Tot was a bit bossy while Sunshine showed her patience well.

When it came time to head back we happened upon the stable yard for the castle. It has been turned into a coffee shop. We enjoyed some coffee and dessert and were able to get a few postcards. It didn't have a feel of being commercialized. It actually felt like we were having drinks in a stable.