How did the myth of kissing the Blarney Stone come about?
Located high up in Blarney Castle is the world famous stone. It is said, those that kiss the stone will be given the gift of eloquence. Some say the stone is half of the Stone of Scone of Scotland. Because the stone was believed to have special powers, Scottish kings were crowned over it. How did the stone get to Ireland? Robert the Bruce gave the stone to Cormac McCarthy in 1314 for his support in the Battle of Bannockburn. When Queen Elizabeth I made demands of the chiefs of Ireland, Cormac Teige McCarthy, the Lord of Blarney, used subtle diplomacy, offering the queen his allegiance, but would not give in to her terms. It is said that Elizabeth proclaimed all she was getting from McCarthy was “a lot of Blarney.
