Blarney Castle was built nearly 600 years ago by one of Ireland's greatest clans: The McCarthys of Munster. It is home to the legendary Blarney Stone, referred to as the stone of eloquence.
The stone's powers are unquestioned, but its history still creates debate. Some say it was Jacob's pillow, brought to Ireland by the prophet Jeremiah. Here it became the Lia Fail or 'Fatal Stone', used as an oracular throne of Irish kings - a kind of Harry Potter-like 'sorting hat' for kings. 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.
When Cormac McCarthy, King of Munster, sent 5,000 men to support Robert the Bruce in defeating the English at Bannockburn in 1314, a portion of the historic stone was given by the Scots in gratitude -- and returned to Ireland. Others believe that the stone was brought back to Ireland from the Crusades by the Knights Templar and that it was the 'Stone of Ezel ' behind which David hid from his enemy, Saul. The castle was the McCarthys' ancestral stronghold until the English invasion in 1646. The McCarthys returned to their home in 1661.
My birth name Is Kathleen Elizabeth McCarthy and this beautiful and magical place is my ancestral home.
