I kissed the Blarney Stone multiple layers of sanitizer gel.

Posted on April 22, 2013 by The Roaming Bean in International Travels // 14 Comments

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Sanitizer gel tastes delicious…I mean, come on… I wasn’t about to kiss a bare stone that millions of people have had their mouths on! Legend has it, anyone who kisses the stone receives the gift of gab, something I’m sure all who know me is probably wishing I do not contract as I already blab on and on.

Blarney castle is spectacular; the grounds of the castle include watch towers, an amazingly gorgeous house, a poison garden (complete with a cannabis plant!) a waterfall and more.

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Walking to the top of the castle to the stone is quite a journey; a climb definitely not for anyone who might be claustrophobic. The higher up the castle stairway, the more narrow the well becomes.

Once on top, the wind is quite strong (at least during my visit), but the scenery is spectacular.

View from top of castle
It’s a pretty freaky thing to actually kiss the stone, as you must sit with your back towards the stone and lean back… ALL the way back, and grab the handles while a little old man pushes you towards the stone to kiss. I personally requested the stone be doused in anti-bacterial gel, as I am not keen on contracting any kind of disease/illness. Although rare, I’m sure, I am a total nutcase with germs.

The castle also has separate rooms and dungeons you can enter, including a kitchen and dining area.

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In the end, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to put my mouth on a cesspool of germs, but thanks to modern inventions such as anti-sanitizer gel, I was able to check that off my bucket-list. (I must admit I never actually had it on my bucket-list until I knew you could sanitize it!) I’m super happy I got the chance to do so!!

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I totally wasn’t having it…. especially when the little old man tapped my buns….

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Lookout tower

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Blarney House

A HUGE thanks to the amazing crew at Shamrocker Adventures for hosting me! All opinions, like always, are my own.

About The Roaming Bean (109 Articles)
You're probably wondering what the heck is a "Roaming Bean"... Given that I am clearly not a Bean, and my name is Jen, what gives with this Bean thing, right? A friend of mine called me JenBean as a child, and it kinda stuck. Actually, it really stuck... even my license plate says Jenbean. And seeing as I have this grand lust to wander the world, The Roaming Bean seemed suitable. I've changed my career path more times than I have my underwear (minus all the times I've gone commando).... from animating, to forensic pathology, to international business, to fashion marketing and even to my wonderful and favorite of the bunch, degree in culinary arts, nothing kept my attention. Nothing was fun enough to do every day for the rest of my life. I mean, even though I cooked for celebrities in the heart of Hollywood, CA, why the hell would I want to sweat my ass off in a ridiculously HOT kitchen for most of the day and go home smelling like beef and onions? And the chef hat?? Do you know what that did to my hair?? Enter traveling.... The rainy day I descended down the tower of Notre Dame in Paris, gripping on to the railing for dear life so not to slip and tumble to an early death from the torrential down pour that was causing a small flood in the stairwell, my life changed. When I safely made it to the ground, legs shaky from an apparent lack of fitness it requires to walk up and down 387 steep stairs, I realized my hands were stained a delightful copper color from the rusted hand rail I had so dearly clung to. Desperate to get the icky stuff off my supple hands, and no running water in sight, I did what any other hopeless idiot would have done: I washed my hands in the nearest Parisian gutter. It was that moment that changed my life... I threw away my hair dryer, my rolling luggage and my dignity. I let my hair go natural, I bought a back pack and I CAMPED through Europe for a month and a half. Yes my friends, I crossed over into a savage traveling beast. Ok, a lot of people travel that way. But I didn't. And I'm so incredibly thankful for that rainy day in Paris that made me realize the world is a pretty sweet place. That realization led me on a quest; a quest to get out there, see things, soak up some local culture and eat my way around the world (with minimal food-related illnesses, such as but not limited to raging diarrhea).

13 Comments on I kissed the Blarney Stone multiple layers of sanitizer gel.

  1. janalinesmalman // April 25, 2013 at 2:44 am // Reply

    Doing this is on my bucket-list but the height thing scares me a bit so might put it off for a while…

  2. CMorris // April 24, 2013 at 9:32 am // Reply

    You are definately afraid of heights. That stone is way out there, the height scared me more then the germs lol, I love the pics’ brings back memories, all of the beauty of Ireland. Isn’t it the best. Im so glad you went.

    • The Roaming Bean // April 24, 2013 at 3:27 pm // Reply

      I’m actually not afraid of heights! I’m afraid of a little man shoving me off the top of a castle! Germs on the other hand, YES! I’m very glad I’m here, too! Thanks 🙂

  3. Beachbums1 // April 23, 2013 at 10:56 pm // Reply

    Good to hear you kissed the Blarney Stone ~ for a moment while reading your post, I thought you were going to pass on it.

    • The Roaming Bean // April 24, 2013 at 3:35 pm // Reply

      No way! I wouldn’t have passed. I brought my own sanitizer gel with me thinking I’d saturate my lips with it before kissing the stone. But, luckily, I didn’t have to do anything that ridiculous. I also just now realized as I type this that I really have issues!

  4. debbie // April 22, 2013 at 10:01 pm // Reply

    Amazing pics, i hope kissing the stone brings you all of the good luck you deserve on you travels

  5. Maua // April 22, 2013 at 9:38 pm // Reply

    Awesome reading and pictures Jen:-)….

  6. missy // April 22, 2013 at 9:28 pm // Reply

    How amazing! I felt like I was there with you! I would love to go to the motherland and see all that! Well written and amazing photos!

  7. Pam // April 22, 2013 at 6:04 pm // Reply

    The pictures are amazing, this looks like something I need to do! Added to my bucket list!

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