Gilpin observer., 1908-03-05
NOT REAL BLARNEY
TOURISTS KISS IMITATION OF
FAMOUS STONE.
Real Thing 10 Set In Wall Of Castle,
Forty-Five Feet from Ground,
According to Julius Cham.
bere.

An authorized announcement 10
made that "a piece Of the Blarney
stone is in New York and will be ex-
hibited during this week." Only q
few days ago had occasion to speak
to friend who sent relative in the
west "just as good" piece Of Plym-
outh rock, says Julius Chambers in
the Brooklyn Eagle.
The last time l was returning to
this country on Cunard steamship
we found that the London mails were
six hours late at Queenstown and
friend of one Of the passengers, hav.
ing very fast yacht, had come down
from Cork to say good-by.
AS the voyager happened to be
known to me, l was asked to form
one of small party to run up to
Cork, where automobiles, not jaunting
cars, would take us to Blarney castle,
about five miles northwest of Cork.
We were guaranteed sure return to
the Cedric before she sailed and /,
with three others, took the chance of
losing our passage money. Therefore,
my knowledge Of Queenstown harbor,
the mails, hasty drink at the Queens
hotel, chat with the always pretty
barmaids-all of whom recognized me
as friend of the beautiful "Tottie"
Fitzgerald, who had introduced her
American millionaire husband to her,
Mr.. Dupont-a miles trot in jaunt-
ing car, and return to the ship with
handful of green shamrock. But
this time everything was different
The Corkonian millionaire's steam
yacht carried us swift as an arrow up
the eight miles of bay-it appeared to
be about the same distance as from
ST. George to Whitehall street-to
Cork. We landed near the spot where
Cromwell set up his flag and Marl-
borough went ashore in 1890. The
autos were in waiting and the five or
six miles to Blarney castle were run
in few minutes after we got disen-
tangled from the narrow streets and
the swarming children. Cork is city
Of 10000 people and race suicide isn't
chargeable to any of the families, as
well as hasty glance would entitle
me to Judge.
Blarney castle wasn't finished in the
Cromwell days, in all likelihood. It
isn't much of a castle" to anybody.
who has seen the real thing at Stir
ling or half dozen places that might
be mentioned. 1t consists chiefly of
one tower, with wings. In the wall
of the facade, about 20 feet from the
top, or, at a guess, As feet from the
ground, a stone about the size Of q
bushel basket protrudes.
1t is the real "Blarney stone!"
So far as l can imagine. only such
"boatswain's chairs" and the wild
birds ever have actually kissed 1t.
Yet, have had to sit and listen to
many beautiful and truthful CD wom-
en- tell how they knelt to kiss the
Blarney stone. understand exactly
what they meant. They didn't know
the real from the imposition. The little
village of Blarney has nothing to COM
mend it to the attention of travellers
except this castle. Therefore, Just
as good" Blarney stone has been
placed in the courtyard Of the castle
and for trifiing matter Of sixpence
you and l may go into Its sacred
presence and press our lips upon its
rough, clammy surface. 1t isn't worth
the money, because one isn't. getting
that for which he or she bargained.
The rock is high in the wall, and any
other Blarney stone is much the same
as duplicate of Plymouth Rock would
be, set up in Riverside Park or Bowl.
ing Green. The castle was built by
the Cromack Mccarthy about 1916.
or three years before Cromwell slaugh.
tered the Irishmen of the place. As
one sees 1t to-day 1t Is only an ivy.
clad ruin, centered about a battle
mented keep. The famous stone, as l
have said, in the face Of the wall, 10
said to bear the name of the founder
but could not discern It. although
moss and Ivy may have covered It