Blarney Castle, Blarney, Cork One Place Study
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Location: Blarney, Cork, County Cork, Ireland
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Blarney Castle, Blarney, Cork One Place Study
NAME
Blarney Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Blarnan) is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland.
GEOGRAPHY
- Continent:Europe
- Country: Ireland
- Province: Munster
- County: Cork
- GPS Coordinates:51.9289, -8.5708
- Elevation:
OVERVIEW
Blarney Castle has a rich history dating back at least to the 1100's and medieval times of Kings and Lords.
It is one of over 3000 castles in Ireland but most assuredly the most popular by tourists.
It went through numerous families in its history.
The castle ruin and estate receive over 500,000 visitors per year making it one of the most visited places in Ireland.
DEFINITIONS
Some words or events contained in this OPS may not be known to the reader, and are defined as such herein for reference.
Battlements - A parapet at the top of a wall that has regularly spaced squared openings for shooting arrows through.
Blarney - The 'gift of gab" or eloquence.
Druid - A very high level of religious Celtic leader.
Irish Confederate Wars (11Year Wars) of 1641-1653 entailed civil wars in England, Ireland, and Scotland promoted by King Charles I (1600-1649).
Keep - Tower house usually 4 or 5 storey high made of stone.
Machicolations - An opening between the supporting corbels of a projecting parapet.
Parapet - A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony, located under the battlements.
The Restoration - A transition of government from the "Commonwealth" republic back to monarchy.
Stone of Scone (aka The Stone of Destiny) - A block of red sandstone used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs until the 13th century.
WHAT'S IN A NAME
OF KINGS AND LORDS
In the province of Munster, region of Muskerry, County Cork, Ireland, the lands of the current castle site had been occupied for centuries before it was even built.
The Mac Carthaigh Mor's (as Kings of Desmond and its successors) were well established in this area of County Cork as far back as the 1100’s through the 1200’s, and it’s likely that they occupied the first wooden dwelling which was used as a hunting lodge and on the same site of the current castle as well as the 1st stone 4 storey keep (c.1210).
About the 1300’s, cadet branches from the Desmond dynasty evolved, those being MacCarthy Reagh of Carbery, MacCarthy of Muskerry, and MacDonough MacCarthy of Duhallow where the leaders of each became Lords of their own territory. The Lords of Muskerry are known to have been a substantial part of the history of their area and likely occupied the 1st keep (c.1210) and eventually the (1446) keep as well. Therefore this OPS focuses on the Lords of Muskerry started by Diarmait (Dermod Mór) MacCarthy (1310-1368) 1st Lord of Muskerry who held extensive land holdings in the (now) castle area.
By the middle of the 15th century, the 1st keep (c.1210) had reached the end of its inhabitable life and was replaced by the current 5 storey keep in stone by Cormac Láidir MacCarthy (1411-1494) 9th Lord of Muskerry on the same site in 1446.
A LORD VS. A QUEEN = BLARNEY
It’s not known if the early wooden dwelling and 1st or 2nd stone keeps had a name designation originally, but legend has it that the name 'blarney' came after an interaction with a queen.
One resource states that the parapet and battlements at the top of the keep were not added until the late 1500's to early1600's. If this is true then the term ‘blarney' was born during the realm of the Cormac mac Diarmada MacCarthy, (1552-1616) 16th Lord of Muskerry after his interaction with Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) who had a desire to buy the castle and property, but the Lord kept stalling her to the point that she declared that the “Lords talk was just all blarney (gift of gab) and that he never means what he says”. After that, it's highly likely that Charles MacCarthy (1565-1641) 17th Lord of Muskerry added the battlements, parapet, whixh included the stone at the top of the castle in 1616, and that's how the stone and the castle got their name(s).
LORDS OF MUSKERRY
Note: Available resources vary from one to the other with regards to the title numbering system as well as birth/death dates, and some family members have no record at all.
The following is for reference only and states available information of the Lords of Muskerry.
Diarmait (Dermod Mór) MacCarthy (1310-1368) 1st Lord of Muskerry
Cormac MacCarthy (1346-1374) 2nd Lord of Muskerry
3 No Record Found
4 No Record Found
5 No Record Found
Teige MacCarthy (c.1380-1461) 6th Lord of Muskerry
Owen MacCarthy (XXXX-XXXX) 7th Lord of Muskerry
Cormac MacCarthy (XXXX-XXXX) 8th Lord of Muskerry
Cormac Laidir MacCarthy (1411-1494) 9th Lord of Muskerry
Cormac Oge Laidir MacCarthy (1447-1536) 10th Lord of Muskerry
Teige MacCarthy (1472-1565) 11th Lord of Muskerry
Callaghan MacCarthy (XXXX-XXXX) 12th Lord of Muskerry
Dermod (Dermod MacTeige) MacCarthy (1501-1570) 13th Lord of Muskerry
Cormac MacCarthy (XXXX-1583) 14th Lord of Muskerry
Callaghan MacCarthy (XXXX-XXXX) 15th Lord of Muskerry
Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy (1552-1616) 16th Lord of Muskerry (married to Mary Butler). Cormac died in Blarney Castle.
Charles MacCarthy (1565-1641) 17th Lord of Muskerry (Title Resigned to become 1st Viscount of Muskerry)
CASTLE KEEP
Keep Number 1 - There is no information available other than it was 4 storey high and was built around 1210.
Keep Number 2 - Built by the 9th Lord of Muskerry, the 5 storey rectangular keep has dimensions of 60 ft x 39 ft (18.3m x 11.9m at the base and tapers slightly upward towards the top. The walls are approximately 12 ft thick (3.6m). It was built over the previous keep (c.1210).
HISTORICAL TIMELINE
1000’s - Original wooden dwelling was built as a hunting lodge by an unknown person.
MacCarthy Family
1127-1134 - Cormac MacCarthy built Cormac’s Chapel on the Rock of Cashel.
1210 - 1st stone keep was likely built by one of the Kings of Desmond.
1353 - Diarmait (Dermod Mór) MacCarthy (1310-1368) becomes the 1st Lord of Muskerry.
1446 - 2nd keep built by Cormac Laidir MacCarthy (1411-1494) 9th Lord of Muskerry.
1616 - Charles MacCarthy (1565-1641) 17th Lord of Muskerry inherited Blarney and started renovations by adding the tall machicolated parapets and battlements, and enlarging windows, fitting them with hooded twin and triple light mullioned windows.
1628 - Charles MacCarthy (1565-1641) 17th Lord of Muskerry resigned his title of Lord and is created 1st Viscount by King Charles I.
1641 - Donough MacCarthy (1594-1665), is named 2nd Viscount Muskerry upon the death of his father, the 1st Viscount. He was married to Eleanor Butler.
1646 - The castle was besieged during the Irish Confederate Wars (11 Years War) (1641-1653) by Cromwell’s army under command of the Protestant Lord of Broghill, Roger Boyle (1621-1679) 1st Earl of Orrery.
1649 - The castle is again besieged by Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) and the MacCarthy's lost the property to the English.
1658 - Donough MacCarthy (1594-1665) 2nd Viscount Muskerry resigns his title to become 1st Earl of Clancarty.
1660 - After the Restoration, the MacCarthy’s property was restored by Scottish King Charles II (1630-1685).
1665 - Donough MacCarthy (1594-1665) 1st Earl of Clancarty died and son Charles James MacCarthy (1653-1666) becomes 2nd Earl of Clancarty.
1666 - Charles James MacCarthy (1653-1666) 2nd Earl of Clancarty died and Callaghan McCarthy (1635-1676) became 3rd Earl of Clancarty.
1676 - Callaghan McCarthy (1635-1676) 3rd Earl of Clancarty died and Donough MacCarthy (1668-1734) became 4th Earl of Clancarty.
1690's - During the Williamite War of 1689-1691, the 4th Earl of Clancarty (Donough MacCarthy) was captured, and his lands (including Blarney Castle) were confiscated by supporters of English King William III (1650-1702) and put up for sale.
Pyne Family
1703 - Sir Richard Pyne (1644-1709) Lord Chief Justice of Ireland bought the castle and estate, but sold it almost immediately to the Hollow Blade Sword Company.
Hollow Blade Sword Company
A company that started making swords and eventually branched out into buying up Irish real estate, then operating as a bank. The Historic Houses of Ireland website tells us that this company was a forerunner of the disastrously speculative South Sea Company that was attempting to break the Bank of England’s monopoly over Government loans. Only months after the purchase, the castle and estate were sold again.
Jefferyes Family
1703 - Hollow Blade Sword Company sold the estate to Sir James Jefferyes (1650-1722) Governor of Cork (married to Katherine Drokenhellem) who built a new residence on the estate.
1722 - Castle and estate inherited by son James Bavington Jefferyes (1679-1739) (married to Anne Brodick) upon the death of his father.
1739 - Sir James St. John Jefferyes (c.1734-1796) the Governor of Cork at the time (married to Arabella FitzGibbon) inherited the castle and estate upon the death of his father.
1796 - Son George Charles Jefferyes (1774-1841) (married to Anne La Touche) inherits the castle and estate.
1841 - Son St John George Jefferyes (1798-1862) (married to Harriet Taylor) inherited the castle and estate.
1846 - Daughter Louisa Jane Jefferyes (1825-1915) heiress, married a neighbour, Sir George Colthurst of Ardrum, (1824-1878) 5th Baronet. They had a son George St John Colthurst (1850-1925) 6th Baronet, and a daughter Louisa Mary Julia (Colthurst (1857-1953).
1862 - St John George Jefferyes (1798-1862) died and left the estate to his daughter Louisa Jane Jefferyes Colthrust (1825-1915).
1870 - The Jefferyes family home next to the castle burned down.
Colthrust Family
1874 - Blarney House is built on the castle estate for Louisa Jane Jefferyes Colthrust to replace the original burned family structure. This house now became the primary residence for Louisa Jane Jefferyes Colthrust (1825-1915), husband Sir George Colthurst of Ardrum, (1824-1878) 5th Baronet and family going forward.
1878 - Sir George Colthurst of Ardrum, (1824-1878) 5th Baronet died, and estate is carried on by wife Louisa Jane Jefferyes Colthrust.
1915 - Louisa Jane Jefferyes Colthrust (1825-1915) died and son George St John Colthurst (1850-1925) 6th Baronet inherited the estate.
1925 - George St John Colthurst (1850-1925) 6th Baronet died and Sir George Oliver Colthurst (1882-1951) 7th Baronet inherited the estate.
1951 - George Oliver Colthurst (1882-1951) 7th Baronet died and brother Richard St John Jefferyes Colthurst (1887-1955) 8th Baronet inherited the estate.
1955 - Richard St John Jefferyes Colthurst (1887-1955) 8th Baronet died and Sir Richard la Touche Colthurst, 9th Baronet (1928–2003) inherited the estate.
2003 - Sir Richard la Touche Colthurst (1928-2003) 9th Baronet died and Sir Charles St John Colthurst, 10th Baronet (born 1955) inherited the estate.
2024 - As of this OPS, Sir Charles St John Colthurst (b.1955) 10th Baronet possesses and lives in Blarney House which is also on the estate.
The only son of Sir Charles, John Conway La Touche Colthurst (b.1988 ) is presumed to be the heir apparent as the 11th Baronet.
THE BLARNEY STONE
aka Stone of Eloquence
The famous blarney stone is built into the machicolations of the parapet at the top of the keep. To kiss the stone one has to lay on their back and kiss facing the stone above ones head. Not an easy feat, but an experience to be sure if you can first conquer the 125 narrow steps leading up to the stone. Oh, and if you have a fear of heights or vertigo, this probably isn't for you!
Through extensive testing in 2014, geologists confirmed that the stone was sourced from 330 million-year-old limestone and that it couldn't have come from England — molecular samples proved the rock was actually native to southern Ireland.
Note: There are numerous legends as to how the stone came into existence as noted below.
"One legend is that after the battle of Bannockburn, Scotland's King Robert I (aka Robert the Bruce) gave one half of the 'Stone of Scone' (aka The Stone of Destiny) to the MacCarthy's for their support in that battle."
"A second one is that it's a piece of the “Stone of Destiny” used in the inauguration ceremonies of the Scottish kings. Robert the Bruce sent the stone to Ireland to be used by his brother Edward in securing his status as High King of Ireland."
"A third was that it was the Lia Fáil—a magical stone upon which Irish kings were crowned."
"Another legend is that was the stone used by Jacob as a pillow when he dreamed of the ladder extending up to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it, and that it was brought from the Holy Land after the Crusades by Jerimiah."
"Yet another is that Cormac McTaidhg Láidir MacCarthy, saved a witch from drowning in a river. As a thank you she told him to kiss the magic stone at the top of the castle and great things would happen to him."
"The most elaborate and romantic legend concerns the Queen of the Fairies in south Munster, who was the beautiful daughter of a leading druid. She fell in love with a gallant young chieftain who broke her heart by not returning her love. He was killed in battle, and she found his body on a stone on the banks of the river lee. His blood had soaked into the stone. There she grieved, her tears joining his blood in the stone which she continually kissed. This caused her magical powers to be absorbed by the stone itself. Cormac Láidir MacCarthy, being troubled by some intransigent problem, was advised by the Queen of the Fairies that this stone, on which she had wept, had been built into his castle and that if he kissed it his difficulties would be resolved."
No matter what legend one goes by, kissing the stone is a must do event if you ever visit the castle, after that, you will talk your head off! And if you opt not to kiss the stone, at least there is a great countryside view from the top.
BLARNEY HOUSE
c.1874
Irish architect John Lanyon of the Belfast, Northern Ireland architectural firm Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon designed this mansion in the Scots Baronial style with stepped gables and a turret, along with a Neoclassical pillared porch. The masonry was built by the Mr. Dixon, of Belfast. Blarney House itself is styled after Belfast Castle by the same architect.
The house is located only about 300 yards from the castle, and was the ancestral home of the Jefferyes and Colthrust families. It was originally built for Louisa Jane Jefferyes Colthrust (1825-1915) in 1874 to replace the first family home that burned down in1870 which was attached to the castle keep itself.
The surrounding gardens and parkland are a feast for the eyes in itself, well worth the stroll.
The house is open to visitors during the summer months. No interior photography allowed.
VISITING TODAY
Banquet Hall
Used to serve lavish meals to the Lords and their families by the servants.
Dungeon
As one might expect, this was used to hold unfortunate prisoners if needed.
Murder Room
It was called the murder room but no murders actually took place here (that we know of).
The name comes from the term 'Murder Hole' which was a hole in the room which was located just above the main castle entryway.
When an undesirable person showed up at the entryway, the murder hole was used to drop rocks and hot oil on them by the sentry in the room above.
NOTABLE PEOPLE
Diarmait (Dermod Mór) MacCarthy (1310-1368) 1st Lord of Muskerry
Born: Munster, Ireland
Died: Munster, Ireland
Resting Place: Unknown
Bio Summary: First in line of the MacCarthy Lords, but was slain by the O'Mahony clan.
Parents: Cormac MacCarthy Mór (abt.1271-1359) and Honoria FitzMaurice (XXXX-XXXX)
Siblings: Donal MacCarthy Mór (1303-1391)
Spouse: Unknown
Issue: Cormac MacCarthy (abt.1346 - bef.1374)
Reference: Wikitree Profile MacCarthy-54
Cormac Laidir MacCarthy (1411-1494) 9th Lord of Muskerry
Born: Cork, Ireland
Died: Munster, Ireland
Resting Place: Kilcrea Friary chancel, Cork, ireland
Bio Summary: Built the now ruin 2nd keep in 1446.
He also established and built Kilcrea Friary and also built Kilcrea Castle, both just west of Cork city.
Killed by his brother Owen MacCarthy.
Parents: Teige MacCarthy (1380-1461) 6th Lord of Muskerry and Catherine O'Brian (1385-1428)
Siblings: Ellen MacCarthy (XXXX-XXXX) Eoghan MacCarthy (XXXX-XXXX))
Spouse: MaryFitzMaurice (abt.1450-XXXX)
Issue: Cormac Oge MacCarthy (XXXX-1536) (later 10th Lord of Muskerry), Ellen MacCarthy (XXXX-XXXX, Sheila (of Julia) (XXXX-XXXX)
Reference: Wikitree Profile MacCarthy-7
Sir Richard Pyne (1644-1709) Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, Land Owner
Born: County Cork, Ireland
Died: Ashley, Surrey, England
Resting Place: Unknown
Bio Summary: Bought the Blarney estate in 1703
Educated at Queen's College, Oxford
1690 - Commissioner of the Great Seal
1691 - Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas
1692 - Knighted
1695 - Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench for Ireland
Parents: Nicholas Pyne (XXXX-XXXX) and Jane Tynte (XXXX-XXXX)
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: Catherine Wandesford (XXXX-XXXX)
Issue: Henry Pyne (XXXX-XXXX)
Sir James Jefferyes (Jeffreys) (1650-1722) Governor of Cork , Solider
Born: England
Died: Unknown
Resting Place: Unknown
Bio Summary: Bought the Blarney Castle and estate in 1703.
Was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Swedish army and a Brigadier General in the English armies.
1690 - Governor of Duncannon Fort in County Wexford, Ireland.
1698 - Governor of Cork.
1703-1715 - Member of Parliament for Lismore in the Irish House of Commons.
1709 - Brigadier General of all forces of Her Majesty's Service.
Parents: Unknown
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: Anne Brodick (XXXX-XXXX)
Issue: James Bavington Jefferyes (1679-1739)
Louisa Jane Jefferyes Colthrust (1825-1915)
Born: England
Died: England
Resting Place: Unknown
Bio Summary: Inherited Blarney castle and Estate in 1862.
Parents: George Jefferyes (1798-1862) and Harriet Taylor (XXXX-XXXX)
Siblings: Unknown
Spouse: George Conway Colthurst (1824-1878) 5th Baronet, MP
Issue: George St John Colthurst (1850-1925) 6th Baronet ADC, Louisa Mary Julia Colthurst (1857-1953)
Reference: Wikitree Profile Jefferyes-21
OTHER NOTABLE PEOPLE VISITS
There have been other well known figures that have visited the castle and even kissed the stone, their names are as follows:
Nelly Bly - An early female journalist.
Sir Winston Churchill - British Prime Minister.
Milton Hershey - American businessman who invented chocolate 'Kisses'.....Was this because he kissed the Blarney Stone????
John Fitzgerald Kennedy - An American of Irish decent, first Roman Catholic president in the history of the United States.
Ronald Reagan - American president of Irish decent.
GARDENS
There are waterfalls where water plants abound, carnivorous plants that feed on bugs and insects, trees of many varieties, a poison garden, unusual Druid rock formations, Vietnamese woodlands and flowers galore all enclosed in sixty acres of lush beauty.
Just wondering the pathways throughout the gardens and enjoying nature could be an enjoyable day in itself.
GHOST STORIES
There are no known ghosts around the castle, however some people have heard unusual footsteps and voices wondering the halls.....Boo!
Not really a ghost story but one legend says there is a witch at Blarney castle. She is held prisoner during the day but wonders around at night and goes to the 'Witch's Kitchen' (rock formation on the estate) where she builds a fire to keep warm from the cold Irish weather.
IN THE MOVIES
Several movies and documentaries have been filmed in and around the castle.
Sources
- ↑ Oxford Dictionary; Oxford Languages
- ↑ Irish Historic Houses; https://irishhistorichouses.com
- ↑ MacDonnell, Randal; The Lost Houses of Ireland, 2002
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ MacCarthy Family; https://mccarthyfamily.net
- ↑ MacCarthy Family; https://mccarthyfamily.net
- ↑ Wikitree; https://www.wikitree.com
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ Library Ireland; https://www.libraryireland.com
- ↑ Irish Geneaology; Irish Genealogy; https://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie
- ↑ Family Search; https://www.familysearch.org
- ↑ Irish Historic Houses; https://irishhistorichouses.com
- ↑ MacDonnell, Randal; The Lost Houses of Ireland, 2002
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org
- ↑ Landed estates 1700-1914; https://landedestates.ie/family/2877
- ↑ Blarney Castle; https://blarneycastle.ie
- ↑ Woolen Way; https://explore.blarney.com
- ↑ Roots: The MacCarthy Clan, an article in Irish America Magazine by Liam Moriarty, April / May 2006; https://www.irishamerica.com
- ↑ Travel and Leisure magazine; https://www.travelandleisure.com
- ↑ Irish Tourism; https://www.irishtourism.com
- ↑ Blarney Castle; https://blarneycastle.ie
- ↑ Irish Historic Houses; https://irishhistorichouses.com/
- ↑ The Architect article, August 21, 1875
- ↑ Travel and Leisure magazine; https://www.travelandleisure.com
- ↑ Ireland; https://www.ireland.com
- ↑ Wikitree; https://www.wikitree.com/
- ↑ John O'Hart, Irish Pedigrees
- ↑ Wikipedia; https://en.wikipedia.org/
- ↑ Family Search; https://www.familysearch.org
- ↑ Every castle; http://www.everycastle.com
- ↑ Blarney Castle; https://blarneycastle.ie
- ↑ Travel Leisure magazine; https://www.travelandleisure.com
- ↑ The Little House of Horrors; https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com
- ↑ tenon Tours; https://www.tenontours.com
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