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Archiver > IRISH-IN-UK > 2006-02 > 1139463522


From: "Jean R." <>
Subject: Cork -- "Gift of Blarney" (MacCARTHY)
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2006 21:38:42 -0800


SNIPPET: Blarney Castle is famous as the place of tourist pilgrimage to kiss a stone on its top rampart to acquire "the gift of gab." The stone's origin is shrouded in myth. The tradition goes back to the late 16th century, when QUEEN ELIZABETH I was trying to plant loyal English settlers in Ireland to tighten her grip on the rebellious island. She demanded that the Irish clan chiefs recognize the crown (rather than the clan chiefs) as the legitimate titleholder of all lands. One of those chiefs was Cormac MacCARTHY, Lord of Blarney Castle who was supposedly loyal to the queen. He was clever enough never to disagree with the Queen; rather, he would avoid acquiescing to her demands by sending a never-ending stream of lengthy and deceptive excuses (disguised with flattery) while maintaining his native Gaelic loyalties. Frustrated, the Queen declared his verbiage nothing but "blarney." .

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