The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1911-12-08
BLARNEY CASTLE.


closes the following historical an
legendary information relative to th
famous Blarney Castle. which we ar
pleased to publish. Mr.. McEwen says
81 have read different incorrect ver
sions OF the story, hut know this t
be correct. for have been there an
kissed the Blarney stone, myself"
This castle, famous in song ant
story. is situated on an isolated rocI
of limestone, and is the third castle
occupying the site. The first was {
hunting post of Dermot MCCARTHY
King of South Munster. and was built
of timber. The second was built in
the year 1900. The third was built
in the 18th century.
Blarney Castle was long the resi-
dence OF the younger branch of the
princely race of the MoCarthys, Lords
of Muskerry, Barons of Blarney, and
Earls of Clanoarthy.
In the reign Of Queen Elizabeth it
was the strongest fortress in Munster +;
almost strong enough to warrant the
conjecture that before the introduc-
tion OF gunpowder IL must have been
impregnable.
1t was treacherously taken ty Lord
Broghill in 1648, and the reigning
King William demolished all the for
titicaions. leaving only the tower
standfhg.
The castle consists Of the massive
and impoeing donjon tower, 100 feet In
height. and lower portion. which
Is less substantial. The keep and the
don1ons we're built after the battle Of
Bannock burn. Cromwell, Ireton and
Fairfax bent their artillery against
it. and made break In its battle
ments.
Donagh MCCARTHY was summoned
10 Parliament In the reign Of Queen
Elizabeth by the title Of Baron Of
Blarpey. and Charles H.. in 1858, con
ferred the title Of Earl of Clancarthy
on the head of the family.
The last CT the family of Clanoarthy
was dispossessed after the seige of
Limerick. and the estate, which COM
prised all Muskerry. was forfeited to
the Crown for the Earl's adherence
to the unfortunate Stuarts. The
groundwork of the well-known and
charming drama "Olancarty, which
some years ago took London by storm.
iseformed from this incident Of the
r,,;,, 80 tha MaDarAhua
In 1892 the forfeited lands were sold
to London company. and 5000 acres
in and around the parish Of Blarney
was allotted to member OF the CON-
pany.
The castle was then purchased In
l70l by James Jeifries, who teoame
Governor OF Cork. He erected large
and handsome house in front of it,
which was the family residence for
many years.
AT what time the ''Blarney Stone"
obtained its reputation it is hard to
discover. One Legend Is that the then
possessor of Blarney CASTLE, Lord Clan.
earthly. when a prisoner to Sir George
Carew. was required to surrender his
Castle to the soldiers of Queen Eliza
beth as a proof of his loyalty, and
though processing his willingness to
do so, always evaded by some plausi-
BILE excuse. Hence the term ''Blar-
ney'' for plausible tongue. Another
story is that Cormao MCCARTHY des-
cendant of the Kings OF Munster,
chanced one day TO save an old woman
from drowning In the lake. She told
him to mount the keep and kiss Ger
tain stone in the wall aud he would
be endowed with golden tongue,
which would influence man or woman,
friend or foe, as he pleased.
The visitor who for the first time
makes the pilgrimage iutent only on
reaching the talismanio and clio
quenoe-imparting stone, takes little
heed of the scenic lovelinesss Of the
place. He stops not his course until
he is at the top of the castle. In sea-
son and out of season, the Castle ap-
pears to be much frequented, aud the
newcomer can nearly always count on
the assistance of many willing and
sturdy arms to bear him up whilst
head downward he applies his lips TO
the magic spot on the outer wall In
dioated to him. The osoulatipg GET
emony once over, 'Tis he may clam
ber to lady's ohamher or become
member of sweet Parliament.
The third aud most pleasing legend
is as follows: When a years tiuoe
was made between Robert Bruce and
Edward H.. pending the surrender OF
Stirling Castle, Edward Bruce, when
taking refuge FROM the English. came
to Cormao MCCARTHY, King of Nun.
ster, aud asked for bis help. Cormac
gave him 5000 kerns. who went over
to Scotland and fought at Baunock-
burn, and then Bruce sent him. ne a
return for his assistance. piece OF
the old stone of Scone (which they
had removed from Ireland) TO be put
in the new keep which Cormsc intend
ed adding to the Norman Castle built
in 1900.
BiaIney is pre.eminently a faily
della region Of enchantment. The
whole place faiIly bristles with leg.
end. tradition. song aud story, and
one could spend hours. aud even days
listening to the tales Of ths wonderful
things done by supernatural or super.
human agencies in the district, but
space will not permit the details.