Kissing stone will cost you more if you're looking for gift of the gab

ANYONE searching for the gift of the gab will soon have to pay more because of rising insurance costs.

The owners of Blarney Castle, where the stone is located, had to fork out an extra 250,000 euro to meet the insurance bill this summer. The very popular tourist attraction is visited by more than 300,000 people annually. The majority of these visitors come to kiss the stone that reputedly gives the gift of eloquence.

The high insurance premium was paid at the beginning of the month and admission prices are now set to increase.

An adult is charged 5.50 euro to enter the castle while children and pensioners pay 4 euro. The new charges will see the standard fee increase to 7 euro and the cheaper rate will rise to 5 euro.

It was feared the soaring insurance costs, coupled with a poor tourist season, would lead to the closure of the castle.

The world-famous Blarney Stone is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country.

However, the castle’s owners and trustees decided to remain open for business provided there is a price hike.

It’s widely acknowledged by tourism chiefs that the castle is important to the industry nationwide.

“We have no choice but to increase the charges because our insurance costs are very high.

The premium was paid on July 5 and the charges will have to increase soon,” castle manager Mervyn Johnston said. The world-famous stone, situated high in the battlements of the castle, dates back to 1314.

Despite the stone’s international reputation, accommodation bookings in the Cork village, situated just nine kilometres from the city, fell by 70% last year. The fallout from September 11 is also affecting visitor numbers there this summer.