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Blarney Stone a health hazard, says survey

Hygiene concerns cited in new list

By
JANE WALSH,
Irishcentral.com Staff Writer
Published Sunday, June 27, 2010, 7:16 AM
Updated Sunday, June 27, 2010, 7:43 AM

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Kissing the Blarney Stone
Kissing the Blarney Stone is not one travel writer's idea of fun.


The Blarney Stone is on the list of worst sites in the world to visit because of the "“trace bits of spit left behind with every pucker.”

Ranking 55th on the list of 101 destinations, the Cork attraction was deemed unworthy of a visit in Catherine Price’s new book '101 Places Not to See Before You Die.’

Previously, Tripadvisor.com had named the Blarney Stone as the least hygienic tourist destination in the world because thousands kiss exactly the same spot.

The castle is already suffering from a lack of visitors.  The numbers are down from 400,000 to 338,000 last year and are only expected to get worse in 2010. The attraction is anticipating numbers to fall below 300,000 this year.

Blarney Castle owner Sir Charles Colthurst joked that the low number of visitors will reduce the amount of saliva on the stone that travel writer Price finds so disgusting.

 “To my knowledge no one has ever caught anything from kissing the stone. I had an esteemed expert clarify that you cannot catch any disease from kissing the stone,” Sir Charles told the Irish Times.

Price’s book also places Euro Disney, the world bog snorkeling championship, Beijing’s Tap Water Museum, and the Los Angeles porn convention as sites not worth your time.
 

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17 Comments

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IrishTierney | Oct 22, 2010, 12:47 PM EDT
I'm sure at some point the stone gets wiped off. Who cares if it isn't! My whole family and I took a turn giving it a kiss. How can you go to the castle and not do it?!?! The only thing that happened to us, is that we all caught the gift of the Blarney gab. It's a beautiful place to visit (as is the whole Isle), and wonderful people! I recommend giving the stone a kiss!!!

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dennisport | Jul 21, 2010, 01:11 PM EDT
couldn't wait to kiss stone. After talking to the person "who holds you" the smell of alcohol from his breath was brutal. NO THANKS I wouldn't let him be responsible for holding me.

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katieherk | Jul 01, 2010, 10:52 AM EDT
I've kissed the Blarney Stone at least 10 times and I'm still here and healthy. My parents before me kissed it and they led long and happy lives. Of course, my Mother was a direct decendent of Lord Blarney, therefore giving us all the gift of gab!

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GeorgeDavis | Jun 30, 2010, 07:57 AM EDT
If you go the Cliffs of Moher, the health hazard will be to your pocketbook. Clare imposes a charge of about $7.50 to see them. I saw them a few years ago for nothing, and will boycott the site till they are once again free to all. End Rip-Off Ireland!

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GrandmaVicky | Jun 29, 2010, 04:25 PM EDT
For heaven's sake-spit is the least of your worries. We have been to Ireland 4 times and planning to go again-wouldn't miss visiting Blarney Castle. If you are worried-don't kiss the stone-no one sticks a gun to your head. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. My grandson kissed it last time we were there and the lad got straight A's in debate in college.

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ciarrai | Jun 28, 2010, 07:01 PM EDT
I kissed it back in the 70's and, so far so good.

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double11 | Jun 28, 2010, 03:56 PM EDT
at night they pis on it

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dwbrown7375 | Jun 28, 2010, 12:30 PM EDT
To ooconnell, well said.

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Sparklet | Jun 28, 2010, 11:59 AM EDT
That's hilarious because my mother refused point blank to kiss the stone because she'd "heard what goes on". She was the first person I ever heard say this.

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ooconnell | Jun 28, 2010, 11:26 AM EDT
I have just achieved a favourable outcome at osculating the concrete mineral matter in question, and can affirm that while reports of its ability to inspire loquaciousness may indeed be hyperbolized, the the very indignity of one's orientation whilst conducting the operation is in fact, pari passu, the subject of much present and future jollification.

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KMcSinger | Jun 28, 2010, 11:25 AM EDT
I know for a fact that the local boys pee on the Blarney stone at night!

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Paddyuno | Jun 28, 2010, 10:43 AM EDT
Well I never caught anything and I had two good goes. But I did notice that I've been very verbose ever since.

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donald3884 | Jun 28, 2010, 10:35 AM EDT
I've been to Ireland twice and on both occasions we went to the Blarney castle. Both occasions we kissed the stone. I've never heard of anyone getting sick. Its all part of tradition. I'm sure a lot of people have eaten other things that are more disgusting.

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tescott | Jun 28, 2010, 09:18 AM EDT
As I got closer to the stone I saw the wet spot & started to talk to the gal in front of me about how disgusting it would be to kiss it after all these strangers. I decided I couldn't do it & just went through the motion & basically just blew it a kiss. I couldn't come to touching it with my lips.

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