There is a legend that says there are three secret passageways leading out of the castle, one leads to the lake, one to Cork and another goes all the way to Kerry.
Blarney Castle
Blarney Stone
Poison Gardens Blarney Castle
Attractions in Ireland
The legend started when Lord Broghill lay siege to the castle hoping to take the gold that was inside. He broke the tower walls and forced his way in. When he got inside there was nobody there and nor was there any gold.
It is thought the men defending the castle had disappeared into Badgers Cave but nobody knows where they went after that.
Fishy tales about ghosts
It is true that there are a number of passageways underneath the castle but they are not accessible for tourists and as yet there haven’t been any found that reach the lake, Cork or Kerry.
It is thought that the River Martin is haunted although the ghosts are not out to do human visitors any harm. If the spooky goings on seem a bit fishy it is because the ‘ghosts’ are ghosts of salmon leaping out of the water to catch the ghosts of flies.
The Witch Stone in the gardens of the castle is thought to be where the witch of Blarney is imprisoned during the daytime although she sometimes comes out after dark.
Mick Jagger, The Simpsons and Sherlock Holmes
Although it may be a fun superstition, there are some politicians who have decided not to leave it to chance and there are a number of world leaders including Sir Winston Churchill among the millions of people who have kissed the stone over the years.
Celebrities such as actor Michael Madsen, Rolling Stone, Mick Jagger, and silent movie stars Laurel and Hardy have also kissed the stone hoping to receive the gift of the gab.
After kissing the stone Laurel and Hardy became two of the most successful silent actors to make the transition into spoken acting!
The stone has featured in an episode of the Simpsons. In ‘The adventure of the Blarney Stone’, a radio dramatisation of Sherlock Holmes, a man was murdered after falling to his death while trying to kiss the Blarney Stone. It turned out that the murderer had greased the boots of the victim meaning it was impossible for the assistant to hold on to him.
Blarney Castle
Blarney Stone
Blarney Castle Legends
Poison Gardens Blarney Castle
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