Kids’ Craic! “A Whole Lotta Blarney!”
by Dottie Wenger
History of the Blarney Stone: The Blarney Stone is a popular tourist site, attracting visitors from all over the world! Legend says that kissing the stone will give you good luck and the gift of the gab!
The Blarney Stone is a slab of limestone, about four feet long and one foot wide. It was set in the wall of a castle tower in the village of Blarney, County Cork in 1446. Kissing the Blarney Stone is not easy! In order to accomplish this, you first need to climb up 120 steps to the top of the castle. Then, lie on your back while someone holds your legs. Finally, bend backwards and downwards while holding on to iron rails, and then kiss the stone.
(Check out the photo of my niece, Brittany, planting a smooch on the Blarney Stone during her recent Ireland trip!)
What’s the dictionary’s definition of Blarney? Conversation that aims to charm, flatter, or persuade. Legend says that a king got so tired of one of her subjects, from the area in Ireland called Blarney, telling fibs, she said, I don’t want to talk to that man any more. I can’t understand him, he is full of Blarney.
Literature Highlight
Brendan and the Blarney Stone, written by Stephen Walsh and Marita O’Donovan, illustrated by Diane LeFeyer.
Written for kids ages 4 through 8|
Brendan the leprechaun plays the tin whistle beautifully. But when it comes to speaking, he is clumsy with his words. Could kissing the Blarney Stone be the answer to his dilemma?
Craft Corner
Make Your Own Blarney Stone!
Make your own silly version of the blarney stone, using a bit of imagination!
Materials
- A smooth rock
- Green paint
- Paint brush
- Markers
- Blue
- Decorations: wiggle eyes, glitter, plastic gems, beads, etc.
Directions
- Wash/clean your rock and let it dry.
- Paint the rock green.
- When the paint is dry, decorate the rock with items of your choosing, or use markers to make facial features!
Kids in the Kitchen
Blarney Stone Cookies
With some assistance from a grown-up, kids can make these tasty green cookies:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Cookies! - 4 oz Jell-O instant pistachio pudding mix
- 2 large eggs
- Green food coloring
- 2 and ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 12 oz. package butterscotch chips
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar, extracts, pudding mix, eggs, green food coloring and baking soda.
- Stir in flour, butterscotch chips, and if using, nuts.
- Cover and chill for a few hours or overnight.
- Shape into one-inch balls.
- Place two inches apart on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
- Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow to cool on baking racks.
