Directions for kissing this stone: Lie on your keyboard and kiss it backwards.

The origins of the Blarney Stone's magical properties aren't clear, but one legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning.

Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly. To kiss that legendary stone confers on the kisser the gift of eloquence, the ability to deceive without offending.

It's tough to reach the stone -- it's between the main castle wall and the parapet. Kissers have to lie on their back and bend backward (and downward), holding iron bars for support.

Through the magic of the internet, we have brought the Blarney Stone to you - so that you may participate in this Irish Tradition.