IRish Blarney

Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle, and we think of ‘green’, shamrocks, leprechauns and limericks when we think of anything Irish. We also associate the word ‘Blarney’ with the Irish people.

‘Blarney’ according to the Webster Dictionary is a stone in Blarney Castle near the city of Cork, Ireland believed to bestow skill in flattery on those who kiss it . Some would say it is nonsense, “Irish Blarney.’

There are many beautiful places to visit in Ireland. To list a few:

In Dublin you can visit Trinity College Library and see ‘The books of Kells and The Long Room.
You can worship in the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin also
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Killarney is called ‘heaven’s reflex’ for it has been one of the world’s favorite beauty spots for 200 years. The 'Ring of Kerry' road (about 110 miles long) has its base point in Killarney.

Kilkenny, is known as the ‘Marble City’. The tag ‘Marble City’ is derived from the black marble found nearby which is used for decorative purposes in the churches.

Waterford world famous for its Crystal which is shaped individually by Master Blowers, handcut by Master Craftsman making every glass unique - no two are exactly the same.

Dingle Bay can be seen from what is surely one of the world’s most picturesque roads.

But when in Ireland, visiting the Blarney Castle is a must. Nobody is certain how the legend ’ the gift of eloquence’ is derived from kissing the Blarney Stone. But it is said that Queen Elizabeth I of England is credited to giving the word “blarney” to the language when, commenting on the unfilled promises of Cormac MacDermont McCarthy , Lord of Blarney at the time, she is reported to have remarked: “This is all blarney; what he says, he never means.”

When we think of the Irish, we also think of Guinness beer and Scotch whiskey. There are many pubs in Ireland, including a Mitchell Pub, but the most famous is Seanache pub dating back to the 18h century. You will find the doors of the houses painted different colors. I was told that this helps the men find their way home after a night at the local bar. Maybe a little Irish Blarney!

A limerick to enjoy this St. Patrick’s Day:
May the blessings of love be on you,
Live within you and all around you’
May it be your shelter in the storming hours,
And your warming fire when chill winds blow.
May love make soft your path, that your steps never falter,
And widen your path that friends may always walk beside you.
May love shine out of the soul of you,
Like a welcoming light so that when others speak your name,
It will be to say here is one whose heart has never cared too little.