Blarney

Infobox Irish Place
name = Blarney
gaeilge = An Bhlárna
crest

motto =
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pin coords = left: 125px; top: 55px
north coord = 51.933067 | west coord = 8.567952 | irish grid = W610759
area = | elevation =
province = Munster
county = County Cork
town pop = 5,226
rural pop =
census yr = 2006
web =
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Blarney ("An Bhlárna" in Irish) is a village in the south of Ireland, located 8 km northwest of Cork, Ireland. It is the site of Blarney Castle, home of the legendary Blarney Stone.

Kissing the Blarney Stone

By kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, it is claimed that one can receive the "Gift of the Gab" (eloquence, or skill at flattery or persuasion). The legend has its roots in the response of the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth I to Cormac Teige McCarthy's attempt to blandish his way out of a difficult situation, during negotiations of the takeover of the Blarney Castle by the occupying English forces. Cormac himself was the King of Munster, living in the Blarney Castle around the 14th century. The stone itself is rumoured to have been created by a witch during the Middle Ages.

Tourism

Blarney village is a major tourist attraction in County Cork. Mostly people come to see the castle, kiss the stone, and go shopping.

The centre of the village is dominated by "The Square" - a grass field where Blarney locals and the townpeople from Cork City journey to during the summer. Activities include soccer, sunbathing and other recreational activities.

Various attempts to beautify the square over the years have always been met with stiff objection from the locals. Previous uses include a market square

Transport & communications

* It is proposed that the town will be connected to Cork City and the rest of Metropolitan Cork by train in 2008.
* The nearest airport is Cork Airport.
* Blarney formerly had its own narrow gauge railway station. The Cork and Muskerry Light Railway linked Blarney with Cork; it opened in 1887 but closed on 29 December 1934.

Economy

The Blarney economy is heavily-dependent on the largely US tourism trade, with numerous hotels and guest houses in the area to serve this demand, but with little indigenous industry. However, the recent announcement by US-headquartered financial house and investment bank Morgan Stanley (nyse|MS) deciding to establish an international clearing center in Blarney is destined to improve the local economy immensely and further enhance Blarney's long-standing relationship with the dollar. The arrival of such a blue-chip organization may well create the incentive for Blarney to become a major international financial hub.

Media

The Muskerry News is the local paper for Blarney and surrounding areas and is printed monthly.

Local radio sations that can be picked up in the Blarney area are RedFM,C103,96fm,Cork Campass Radio,LifeFM.

Education

coil an Chroí Ró Naofa Boys’ National School

This is a Catholic boys’ primary school catering for approximately 154 pupils. Situated in thehistorical village of Blarney, it provides a child-centred education as laid down in thePrimary School Curriculum of the Department of Education and Science.

;Mission Statement::To nurture responsible, capable, caring individuals in a Christian environment who respect themselves and others. Within a positive, happy, safe and healthy school atmosphere we will enable each child to develop his self- esteem and achieve his full potential.

;Brief School History::Blarney Boys' National School has stood in its present site for more than a hundred years. In 1898 Sir George Colthurst, a wealthy benefactor, donated the site to the then Blarney village school. The school was founded under the patronage of the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne and built originally to accommodate 450 boys and girls from the village. Many changes have occurred since the school's ambitious opening.

:The school's first headmaster was a Mr. Eugene Cotter who, with two assistant teachers, was responsible for 165 boys and 180 girls. Many of the children attending the school had well known Blarney names such as Kiely, Forrest and Murphy.

:In 1974, due to an increase in numbers, "Scoil Íosagáin na gCailíní" was built to accommodate the girls of the parish whilst the boys received a brand new extension in 1986. The school currently has a teaching staff of seven who continue to provide a modern and positive education for the boys.

;Motto::Ní neart go cur le chéile ( _en. There is no strength without unity)

Crime

On October 10, 2008 Blarney Garda station was left badly damaged after an arson attack involving a Molotov cocktail. [ [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/1010/breaking48.htm

Arson attack damages Blarney Garda station] ]

ee also

*List of towns in the Republic of Ireland

External links

* [http://www.blarneycastle.ie Official Blarney Castle website]
* [http://www.smgsblarney.ie Website of Blarney secondary school, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal]
* [http://www.bbns.ie Blarney Boy's National School Website]
* [http://www.blarney.com Blarney Woollen Mills Website]