Kiss Me I'm Irish

Today is St Patricks day and cries of “Kiss me i’m Irish” can be heard around the town! A tradition for the Irish and a great excuse for a drink for everyone else, St Patricks day is celebrated all around the globe. But where does the phrase “Kiss me i’m Irish” and that mystical Irish luck come from? According to legend, a particularly eloquent land owner by the name of Cormac Teige McCarthy!

Cormac Teige McCarthy built Blarney castle in the early thirteenth century. The legend goes that Queen Elizabeth 1 tried to strip Cormac of his land rights and must present himself before her. Not being of good speech, he met an old woman who convinced him to kiss a stone within the castle and be blessed with good luck. Upon meeting the Queen, he was allowed to keep his castle through his flattering and clever chat, and thus the legend of the blarney stone was born.

The stone, now set atop the castle’s peak and beyond the parapet, has today been kissed by millions, including statesmen, celebrities and people from all over the world. The legend grew and over time, has extended to all Irishmen!