Visit Blarney Castle And Kiss The Stone With CIE Tours

MORRISTOWN, N.J., June 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- At a loss for words? You won't be, according to a centuries-old Irish legend, if you make it to the top of Blarney Castle and bend over backwards (literally!) to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Do so, says this charming tradition, and you'll be granted the gift of gab. Take a look at Visit Blarney Castle with CIE Tours, a short YouTube video, to get just a small taste of the mysterious history of this castle and its famous stone.

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Built in 1446 by the MacCarthy family, the stone edifice that today sits in County Cork is actually the third building on the site. The first two, says current Blarney Castle owner Sir Charles Colthurst, were made of wood, and didn't survive. And while the castle didn't start its life as a place of tourism and pilgrimage, these days visitors arrive in the hundreds of thousands. "We had 425,000 visitors in 2007," notes a proud Sir Colthurst. And many of them came as participants in a vacation from CIE Tours, which offers dozens of inclusive Irish vacations, with something to suit every taste and budget.

As you'll see in the video, the climb to the top of the castle is long—130 well-worn steps—but well worth it. Once there, a castle staff member will help you lean back so your lips can touch the Blarney Stone. If all goes well, this action will unleash your inner eloquence. The experience itself will certainly give you plenty to talk about! But Blarney's not all about the stone, or even the castle itself. The site includes gorgeous gardens where you'll enjoy walking the meandering paths as you seek out the mysterious wishing stones and caves that dot the property. And, as with any CIE Tour, you need bring nothing but your sense of adventure and your camera—all tours and admissions are included in your trip's cost.

About CIE Tours International
For more than 81 years, CIE Tours International of Morristown, NJ, has set the standard for fully escorted motorcoach tours of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. This renowned tour operator delivers unsurpassed experiences and value for both packaged vacations and custom independent travel, combining the best of each destination with expert professional tour guides who bring each itinerary to life. All CIE Tours' travel programs are protected by the company's $550+ Advantage, a no-fee benefit guaranteeing that travelers are never charged for special features considered optional extras with other tour companies. For additional information, please contact 1-800-243-8687 or visit www.cietours.com.

SOURCE CIE Tours International