With St. Patrick’s Day on the way, I took a short spin over to Blarney Castle to take a few pictures.
I’ve never kissed the Blarney Stone – the idea of suspending myself under a damp rampart to press my lips against it in the hopes that I will speak more eloquently seems rather pointless, if not somewhat unhygienic. Anyway, I think I have already have the gift of the gab. You don’t want me to get super-charged on gabbing, believe you me. It’s a magical de-gabbing stone I need.
Click on any photo above for more detail.
The grounds of Blarney Castle are delightful. Along with the impressive ruined castle, there are all sorts of structures to discover including a lookout tower, a lime-kiln and Blarney House itself. Then there is the lake, the cave and the Rock Close: a pleasant walled garden not far from the castle. Spring has come early this year, so all the trees are budding, the daffodils are everywhere and the hazel catkins are in full flower. Not a shamrock in sight.
Jeepers the stream in the castle grounds is big and wild. It’s such a calm stream in summer. Just shows how much water has been coming down on us since last September!
As for Shamrock, unless you have been growing some under glass or buy it in the shops it’s been too cold and wet for it to grow outside. It’s probably going to be late by about a month or so. Well mine is anyhow as it’s growing outdoors with no help or protection.
So I’ll have to buy some this year…
beautiful photos! Have you ever been to Meath? That’s where I grew up – lots of great subjects for stunning pics there!
Happy St Pat’s Day for the 17th!
Thank you! I’ve been to Meath a few times although usually just passing through. The Boyne Valley is particularly beautiful and I have a very soft spot for Slane.
How will Paddy’s Day be celebrated down under?
Now that’s an odd coincidence – my family lived on a farm just outside Slane, on the hill overlooking the Boyne!
There used to be an old boy who ran the village shop and would always ask us to ‘test’ the homemade ice-cream whenever we came in… of such things is pure childhood happiness made!
Apparently they’ve already held the Paddy’s Day parade here in Sydney, a week early so as not to clash with this weekend’s big event which is the 75th Anniversary of Harbour Bridge – a huge party, firewaorks and events are planned! I shall have to wear something Irish as I walk the bridge with my friends.
Have you seen these Reebok St Patrick’s Day Classics ?
Do anything special yesterday?
Is it true that the locals pee on the Stone at night so they can laugh all the harder at the tourists the next day?
Oh dear god, those sneakers.
*Sigh*
When it comes to St. Pat’s nothing surprises me. 🙂
I brought my kids to two St Pat’s parades. The first one was very artistic with people from all over the world banging drums and dancing, with huge monster floats and a lot of fun. The second one mainly featured a lot of old tractors. I only went to it because my son was walking in this parade. I wasn’t out last night – babysitting. I sat in and watched Patriot Games instead.
Peeing on the Blarney Stone – I’m sure it’s possible, but since the castle is locked during the night and the stone is at the very top of the castle (which is a gigantic empty ruin), you would want to be very sober to do it I think. (And if you’re sober doing it, what would be the point, I wonder :-D)
Great photos there!
I’ve always been fond of daffodils, even if they make me sneeze like crazy. When the doffodils and crocuses start blooming, you know it’s really spring.
I don’t think you gab too much. Of course, I gab a fair bit myself. How would you get a word in?