The harp has played Celtic tunes through castle halls and church steeples of Ireland for centuries. There are many legends associated with the harp and the magical powers it’s notes possess. Continue on trail until you see a tree with two trunks and a large vine hanging down beside it on the left. Again turn to the right of the trail and walk until you see a tree that looks like rhino. Stand under the horn and face the tree. To the right of the tree under the dead wood, low in the wall. Stamp in and head back to trail.

For centuries the English monarchs have tried to control the Irish and their land. Queen Elizabeth I sent a deputy to Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy, the Lord of Blarney castle to demand that he turn his land over to the crown. Cormac met with the queen to plead his case but he was not eloquent of speech so she dismissed him. On his journey home he met an old women. He told her his troubles and she explained, "Cormac, when Blarney Castle was built, one stone was put into place by a man who predicted no one would ever be able to touch it again. If you can kiss that stone, the gift of eloquence will be conferred upon you." He located the stone at the top of the castle. He leaned over the edge, kissed the stone and returned to the Queen. He spoke so soft and eloquent that as long as he lived he never had to renounce his castle or land. I was able to kiss this very stone in 1983. To take your own journey to Blarney Castle.....almost immediately on the left of the trail you will see the castle foundation. Enter the castle wall by the door way. Take 3 paces and look in the wall. Which direction is up to you!

Richard Joyce departed from the small fishing village of Claddagh, Ireland in route to the plantations of the West Indies. He was to be married the same week he was to return to Ireland. Unfortunately his ship was captured by Mediterranean Algerian pirates. The crew of the ship were sold into slavery. Joyce was sold to a goldsmith who taught him the trade. Soon Joyce became a master of the craft. He crafted a ring in honor of his love left behind in Claddagh, Ireland. In 1689 when William the III came to the throne all slaves were released. He returned home to find his love had waited for him all that time. He presented her with the ring and the two were married. The heart stands for love, the hands stand for friendship and the crown stands for loyalty. Once back on the trail turn onto the trail on your left. Follow until you see a wall horizontal with the trail with ledges behind it on the right. Walk along that wall and behind the 5 brother trees in the wall behind some wood and rocks you will find your treasure. After stamping in head back to the intersection of Blarney Castle. Turn left.

If you are ever in the woods and hear the faint tap, tap, tap of a hammer you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of real leprechaun which is an elfin shoemaker. The Irish call them ‘the wee people’. According to legend all leprechauns have a pot of golden hidden somewhere and if you catch him he must turn it over to you but you will have to be quick, leprechauns are very sly and if you are not quick of wit he will trick you and disappear forever. Follow these clues and listen for the tapping of a cobbler. Follow to Y. Go right. You will see pines on a hill on the left. When you see a tree with a state forest plate, 2 yellow rings and a yellow circle. Stop listen for tapping. Turn left and walk along the wall running up the hill. See the twin trees next to the wall and the dead stump not far to it's side. Slowly sneak up to the stump and peak inside to catch your leprechaun!!

Side note. Some good movies to rent in March (or any time):

The Quiet Man - starring John Wayne & Maureen O’Hara
Darby O’Gill and The Little People - starring a very young Sean Connery
The Secret of Roan Inish
Top O’ The Morning - Bing Crosby & Barry Fitzgerald
Waking Ned Devine
Far & Away - Tom Cruise

If you are looking for a fun Leprechaun book for kids try Clever Tom.

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