Stone of Tara Or Lia Fa'il
The Stone of Tara is a stone on the Hill of Tara, in Ireland and is considered to be the coronation stone for all the Kings of Ireland. It is said that all of the kings of Ireland have been crowned on the Stone of Tara up until the year 500 AD. Legend has it that The Stone of Tara was brought to Ireland, long, long ago by a god-like race that were skilled in magic and such things and were known as the Tuatha De Danann. The reason why the Kings of Ireland were coronated near or on the Stone of Tara was because it was said to imbue the power of a long and successful kingship. Perhaps these famous stones originated from Stonehenge?
Stone of Destiny - Stone of Scone
The Stone of Scone is originally a Scottish stone used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland and then later all the monarchs of Britain. It has gone back and forth between England and Scotland for centuries and is used at the coronations of Monarchs in both countries. It was even stolen from England and taken back to Scotland not long ago. Some legends say that the Blarney Stone in the Castle of Blarney is a piece of the Stone of Scone. It can be very confusing because different legends say that the Blarney Stone is a piece of the Stone of Scone and that the Stone of Tara or Lia Fa'il's name can be translated to mean Stone of Destiny, just as the Stone of Scone is called. Many of the legends make claims that the stones may have been the stones that Jacob used to make a pillow out of, when he slept and saw the ladder ascending into heaven in the Bible.
Blarney Stone of Blarney Castle
The Blarney Stone is a large stone that was built into the tower of Blarney Castle, in Ireland in 1446. Many people believe that the Blarney Stone is not a native of Ireland but was brought from some other location, possibly from Britain. According to legend, kissing the stone gives the kisser the gift of gab or eloquence of speech and flattery.
'Tis there's the stone that whoever kisses
He never misses to grow eloquent;
'Tis he may clamber to a lady's chamber,
Or become a member of Parliament.
"A noble spouter he'll sure turn out, or
An out and outer to be let alone;
Don't try to hinder him, or to bewilder him,
For he is a pilgrim from the Blarney stone."
-Francis Sylvester Mahony
Being part Irish myself I know that it is always good luck to kiss the Irish under just about any circumstances. Although it is uncertain where the phrase: Kiss Me I'm Irish, originated, It could be from the "Kissing The Blarney Stone" custom. The kissing of the Blarney Stone has been a long tradition that has been performed by many famous people and the Blarney Stone and the Castle of Blarney that the stone resides in, is also a very popular tourist destination. The tradition is that you have to climb into the castle and be dangled by the feet somewhat, as you lean over to kiss the stone upside down.
Kiss Me I'm Irish!
