I Kissed a Legend (or just, the Blarney Stone)

After Cork we set off to our bed and breakfast where we were going to stay for the night after we saw the Blarney Castle. It was called the White House and was absolutely wonderful. Not only was it so comfortable and welcoming but it was luxurious inside! We dropped off our luggage and then went to find the Castle. This was very easy as Blarney is on the smaller side.
The grounds of the castle was the first thing we saw. They were stunning. Flowers everywhere, trees hanging low, a rushing river than ran throughout the whole place, and tiny waterfalls. It was glorious. Then the Castle loomed up on the hill. It was all stone and most of the inside had fallen down but we found the staircase and started the climb, which was actually frightening. There was a rope hanging down the stairs that went up in a spiral pattern. The steps grew smaller and smaller until just the balls of our feet were able to make contact with the stones. Then just when we thought we were going to die the staircase opened up to the top of the castle and a view of Blarney. We had a 360 degree overlook of the grounds, we could even see our bed and breakfast from the there! After admiring that for a few moments we made our way to the stone to kiss it and hopefully receive the gift of gab. Not like any of us needed it. We had a tendency to talk over one another.
Kissing the stone was not scary just...unexpected. You lay down and a kind elderly Irish man directs you to hold onto the metal bars they placed there. Then he holds you as you lean back...back...further back...until you think you are a gymnast and can finally  reach the stone. Then he pulls you up and you are done! It was very informal. After that we ran around the castle grounds for a good few hours.
The next day we woke up to the most fabulous breakfast. For one thing...the White House served us real pancakes! Delicious, American-style pancakes! After some time spent in heaven, we went to see the Blarney Mills before we went back to Dungarvan thinking we could maybe afford a pair of socks. We were not expecting there to be so much merchandise. There were blankets, scarves, about ten thousand sweaters, a baby section, toys, and of course the socks. That doesn't even cover half of it. It was just a huge place filled with wool EVERYTHING. We all ended up making a purchase to bring back to remind us of Blarney.