by Michelle Delaney, SOUTH LAKE TABLET
For the first time in over 600 years, the Irish government has banned people from kissing the Blarney Stone in the hope of deterring the spread of the COVID-19 virus. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of the gab (great eloquence).
The Blarney Stone is a block of limestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, about 5 miles from Cork, Ireland. The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446.
The castle is a popular tourist site in Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the world to kiss the stone and tour the castle and its gardens. Currently, the castle and gardens are still open.
