Blarney Castle, Co. Cork

Blarney Castle, the medieval home of the MacCarthy lords of Muskerry, is one of Ireland's best-known castles. Many visitors to Ireland include a trip to the castle in their itinerary, often queuing to kiss the Blarney Stone in hope of acquiring the 'gift of the gab'. Yet, despite the castle's ubiquitous image on postcards and tourist promotional literature, the building's historical and archaeolog...