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The Blarney Stone is, in my opinion, a very interesting legend. It was in fact the inspiration behind writing Stone Cold Kiss. There are many legends as to the origin of the stone, but all agree that kissing it gives the kisser the “gift of gab” — of eloquence or persuasion.
Here are some of the reputed origins of the Blarney Stone:
-It was the rock which Moses struck with his staff to provide water for the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt.
-It was the stone Jacob uses as a pillow (brought to Ireland by the prophet Jeremiah)
-It was the Stone of Ezel, which David hid behind while fleeing the King of Saul (possibly brought to Ireland during the Crusades)
-It was the rock pillow used by St. Columba of Iona on his deathbed
My personal favorite (and the one I used in the book) is this:
About 500 years ago, a witch was saved from drowning. Some versions of this legend state that the King of Munster himself saved her — others that it was a common soldier. Regardless, to show her gratitude, she cast a spell on a stone in Blarney Castle which would grant the King, if he kissed it, the power of persuasion.
This persuasion was reputedly used by Dermot McCarthy when he was asked to surrender Blarney Castle during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. While he said he would be delighted to prove his loyalty in such a fashion every time the official came to ask him to surrender, something outrageous happened which provided him with an excuse. Hence the term “blarney” came to mean something along the lines of “ridiculous but flattering”.
The most widely accepted history of the stone — and, indeed, the most plausible assuming it was not an ordinary stone all along — was that Robert the Bruce gave the stone to King McCarthy of Munster in 1314, upon the victory of the battle of Bannockburn, for the Irish support in the Scottish battle against the English. I also like this story because it could have happened. 🙂
And that’s your history lesson for today. Interesting, isn’t it?
Don’t forget to comment here or on my excerpt or my interview to be entered into the drawing to win a copy of Stone Cold Kiss! I’ll be drawing a name once the event is done, at 8:30 PM EST to give everyone some leeway.
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