Blarney CastleBlarney Castle

Blarney Castle Blarney Castle, as seen today, is the third to

have been erected on this site.

10th century – it was originally a timber hunting lodge

1210 A.D. – Replaced by a stone structure. This building was demolished for foundations.

1446 - third and present day castle was built by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster.

Cormac McCarthy, King of Munster

The lower walls and angle tower of the castle was built by Cormac McCarthy, King of Munster, who is said to have supplied 4,000 men from Munster to help the forces of Robert the Bruce at the battle of Bannockburn in England in 1314.

Blarney Stone Legend has it that

Robert the Bruce gave half of the Stone of

Scone to McCarthy in thanks. (Scottish kings were crowned over the stone because it was

believed to have special powers) This, now

known as the Blarney Stone, was built into the

battlements where it can now be kissed.

Queen Elizabeth I

The English Queen wanted McCarthy to surrender the castle. McCarthy promised repeatedly to hand it over

but never did.

Queen Elizabeth I is reported to have said ‘’I’m

fed up with all this Blarney!’ – giving a new word to the language for

soft and false talk.

What a load of

Blarney!

Kissing the Blarney Stone is siad to give you ‘the gift of the gab’ – the gift of

eloquence!

Cromwell's General, Lord Broghill

The Castle remained the stronghold of the McCarthy family until the arrival of Oliver

Cromwell with cannon guns in 1646. However, when Cromwell’s men entered the castle McCarthy & his soldiers had fled by the underground caves situated below the

castle known as the Badgers Caves.

Fifteen years later, with the arrival of King

Charles II on the English throne, the McCarthys returned to the

Castle.

Battle of the Boyne 1690

The McCarthys supported the Catholic King James in the war against Protestant William of Orange.

William won.

As punishment the McCarthy lost all their land and were banished from Ireland.

Sold to Sir James St. John Jefferyes in 1688

The Castle was sold to Sir James Jefferyes, Governor of Cork in 1703. Sir Jefferyes built a new mansion rather than live in the old, cold castle. The Castle is now owned and managed by the Trustees of the Blarney Castle Estate.

Legend of Blarney Lake

When the McCarthy’s fled the castle legend says they threw the castle treasures into Blarney lake.

In 1786, Lady Jefferyes tried to drain the lake to find the treasure. Thousands turned up to help but nothing was found and they were mocked at.

Goodbye from Blarney!