Photo owned by glennji (cc)

Gasp! I can hardly believe it!

Ireland’s famous Blarney Stone, renowned for giving those who kiss it the gift of the gab, may in fact be nothing but Blarney.

Disappointingly, for the hundreds of pilgrims who climb the steep battlements every day to plant their lips on it, they may be smooching the wrong block, experts studying the castle believe.

Full, but exceedingly short article on that here.

But don’t panic just yet, Blarney-kissers:

THE owner of Blarney Castle has dismissed sensational claims circulating throughout the world’s media that millions of visitors have been kissing the wrong stone.

Charles Colthurst moved swiftly to reassure those who have kissed the stone in search of the gift of the gab that they have kissed the right one.

Full Irish Examiner story.