Yesterday, on the other hand, was really sunny and nice so we decided to go to the Blarney Castle, which was about 10/15 minutes away by bus. The Blarney Castle was pretty amazing. We couldn't believe how green everything was. Everyone always says that Ireland is green, but you can't really get a sense of it until you see it. I think the fact that it was really sunny helped, but we all went camera happy.
Quick history fact: "Queen Elizabeth I is credited with introducing the word 'blarney' to the English language. Her emissary, Sir George Carew, was charged with persuading Cormac Teige McCarthy to abandon his ancient rights during negotiations of the takeover of the Blarney Castle. But every time that Carew tried, he was met with long and eloquent protestations of loyalty and honeyed flattery of the queen- but also with no agreement. In frustration, Elizabeth I exclaimed, 'This is all Blarney. What he says he never means.' And a new word was born."
-a post outside the Blarney castle and, of course, Wikipedia
According to the legend, kissing the Blarney Stone grants the gift of eloquence. For those who perhaps don't buy this story only need to read this plaque posted inside the castle-->
(Rather than typing the whole thing out, if you click on the image, it enlarges) Actually the only reason I took a picture of Winston was because that might be the creepiest drawing of him I've ever seen but it does serve as pretty good proof of the stone's effectiveness. In order to kiss the Blarney stone, you had to climb up this really high, winding staircase that seemed to be built for a small child. Once at the top, we all stood in line for our turn at the stone. Luckily this guy was there who was from Blarney and he told us how far to bend backwards in order to kiss it since the old man that held us in place while we leaned back didn't really seem to care one way or another. Then again, if I had his job I probably wouldn't either.
Me kissing the stone:
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