Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-03-01
A VOICE FROM THE sLAaNey STONE.

A VOICE FROM THE BLARNev STONE.
There IL q stone that whoever kisses
| Sure he never misses 70 grow eloquent,
'11s he may Chamber u lady's chamber
0rbecome member Of Parliament
A clever spoutcr he'll sure turn out, or
An out and-outer 10 be let alonel
Don't hope ~ hinder him. or ~ bewilder him,
Sure he's pilgrim from the Blsrney stone. y
Father Prout
As have been requested to tell the
readers Of the Democrat something about
Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone,
We will accordingly retrace our foot
steps as far as Cork, and before leaving
the land Of the Shamrock and Shillalah
for theland ofthe Thistle and the Heather,
We will journey together to that Mecca
towards which all travellers TO Ireland
turn their footsteps.
There are several different ways to
reach the little town Of Blsrney. A
patron Of the Irish jsunting car, which
could more properly be called jo'fing
car, would miss many Of the most fasci-
mating charms, for Of all agonizing
things to ride In, or on, the Irish jtunting
car is the worst. You must sit side
wise and twist your body around 80 as
TO grasp something at your back, and
brace your feet against some imaginary
object In front, TO keep from being flung
of bodily. A sturdy pedestrian would
choose To walk the elk miles from Cork,
through delightful district beautified
by every variety Of landscape, from soft
sylvan wales and gently running streams,
to rugged heights, deep valleys and rush
ing torreuts-and would also be able to
note some of the Interesting things along
the wsy, of which We will mention few.
On the top OF n tremendous rock, on
which, perched high sloft like an eagles
eyry, stands C,rrigrohane Castle, once
the residence Of the McCsrthys Of
Muskerry, who fourished in the days
when might was right.
nd those should take who had the power.
And those should keep who could"
All around, the scene 1, one OF great
pastoral besuty, the verdsnt meadows,
still green in bleak November, the bro AS
ing cattle, the wooded heights, the state
~ mansions, all create most delightful
and effective landscape.
In the pretty district OF lnniscTrs
stands Carrignamuck Castle, perched on
smother lofty cliff, conspicuous ivy
clad ruin overhsngiDg n charming val
ley, very picture Of loveliness, deeply
wooded aud adorned with ministur.
lakes. Then the glen OF Mullinassig
sbounds with beautiful and romantic
scenery Both It's sides are covered with
trees, and high up smid towering rocks
is magnificent cascade. which after
tumbling over rocks and boulders and
- l-. t.. kAx lAr Insx
and bewitching manner, at last tumbles
into n dazzling lake below.
In the churchysrd OF Aghsbullogue l.
81 Olsn's tomb, msssive stone inscrib-
ed In 0ghsm writing, the inscription be-
ing interpreted meaning PRAY for the
soul OF Ol,n the Egyptian" so II would
seem that some OF the early tribes OF Ire
land were from the illustrious Eastern
Lond. The stone was formerly held In
great veueration, aud WAS called ST.
CLANS Stone. IL had movable cap
known IA the "Csppeen Olsn." that was
supposed TO be endowed with miraculous
powers, having the gift Of locomotion so
that II removed 10 any distance II would
find its way back sgsin to It's old quar-
ters. The Oghsm characters, like the
hieroglyphics Of Egypt, are found on
many ancient stones, and from their
translation has been discovered much Of
the early history Of ireland.
Another old church, the church Of
Donoughmore, contains some OF the old
est stone work In ireland, and there are
grsvestones here three thousand years
old, belonging TO the pagan generations
who frat inhs hits the island
Blsrney Lake IL charming spot em-
bosomed In pastoral beauty and rich In
legendary lore. Tradition SAYS that
famous red trout dwells 10 this lake that
will not rise to the hy, but subsists on
enchanted food. Also that at certain
seasons a herd Of white cows rises from
the bosom Of the lake 10 Craze among
the rich pastures that clothe its banks.
There IL scarcely lake or a rock, q
mountain or a stream, but has It's legend
ary history, which IL firmly believed In
by the imaginative Celt, and TO him "the
very stones cry out" for they were once
his early gods, and he still hears the cry
OF the Bsnshee about his lonely dwelling.
Blsrney Castle Was the stronghold Of
the McCsrthys when they were kings 10
ireland, aud the story Is true, that the
Earl Of Clan Carly, who forfeited the
castle at the Revolution, cast all his
plate and jewels into certain part Of the
lake, and three Of the McCsrthys inherit
the secret Of the place where they are
deposited; any one of whom, dying,
communicates Ii to another Of the family,
and thus perpetuates the secret, which
will never be revealed until Mccarthy
il again Lord OF Barney" Every year
u parsonage Of the line Of Mccarthy Is
said to walk forth from the lake with
troubled mien, "seeking to be address
ed" but no one has ever yet had courage
10 speak to the seeking soul from the
spirit world, so that, yearning and un-
satisfied, he returns to bis wstery habita-
ton.
The pleasure grounds around the castle
were formerly adorned with statues,
grOttoes, slcoves. bridges, and every de-
scription OF artificial ornsmentation, but
the only adornments now are Of natures
own eontriving, and far more beautiful,
for the insnimste figures have turned In
TO animate ones, with horns and four
legs-none the less picturesque, how
ever, as they Craze and gaze. The al
coves are turned into sheep shelters, and
the grottoes into rabbit burrows. The
little bridges are rustic still, and moss
grown. The fine old trees still shadow
the ripping stream, and shelter great
flocks OF eawing jsckdsws-birds some
what like our crows, though smaller,
and so black that they are blue-Or so
blue they are black, one can scarce tell
which.
The Roekclose adjoining the castle, a