For centuries, Blarney Castle had been able to withstand siege but the development of modern cannon had made it vulnerable.

When Lord Broghill, acting under Cromwell’s instructions, attacked the Castle, there was no defence. He fired down from Card Hill above the lake and broke the tower walls. Yet when he entered the castle, he found only two trusty old retainers. The main garrison had fled through Badgers Cave.

All had gone – as well as the gold plate that Broghill expected to claim.

Legend tells us there are three passages to find in the darkness beyond the cave – one to Cork, one to the lake, and one all the way to Kerry. But this being Blarney, the passages may be as hard to find as the gold...

Blarney Castle

The home of the Blarney stone