I went to Ireland on holliers and got mono...

[Uisce Beatha]

... fer nuthin'

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0220/blarney.html?rss

Millions of tourists may have kissed the wrong Blarney Stone in an effort to get the gift of the gab, according to a new study.

The authenticity of the Blarney Stone, kissed by about 400,000 tourists each year, has been questioned by Mark Samuel, an archaeologist and architectural historian, and Kate Hamlyn in a new book.

Take my advice, while on Irish vacation the only thing you want to be putting your lips on is...

[Dunk]

Well I guess it's understandable I'm at a loss for words then.

However, much of the black stuff passed my lips while I was over.
  

[Aske]

wow. that's quite a knock on the native lasses  there  UB
 

[stroh]

What stone can you get someone to kiss for the gift of STFU?

[Uisce Beatha]

Well I guess it's understandable I'm at a loss for words then.

My arse.  You're Mr. Eloquence.   

However, much of the black stuff passed my lips while I was over.
  

So when are you going to hit SLC and raise a jar with me?   



Or five maybe.   

[Uisce Beatha]

wow. that's quite a knock on the native lasses  there  UB
 

Every third girl in Ireland these days is from Eastern Europe.  And many of them are absolute hammers.   

[Aske]

wow. that's quite a knock on the native lasses  there  UB
 

Every third girl in Ireland these days is from Eastern Europe.  And many of them are absolute hammers.   

LOL.  if i may ask (assuming you know the answer)  what is it about Ireland that draws eastern europeans?
I would think they have many many more culturally 'compatible' locations for opportunities

[Uisce Beatha]

In a nutshell, it's due to the EU and a stupid mistake by Ireland.

Back in the 90s, Ireland was one of the few countries in the EU to open up their labor markets to the rest of the countries.  The UK is another.  Given Eastern Europe's high poverty levels and Ireland's relatively high wages (courtesy of the Celtic Tiger) it's a natural they'd want to come.  Once there they do what the Pakis and Indians do in England.  They live ten to a flat and work for less than an Irishman is willing.

Throw in illegals which are barely noticed by the authorities and they're running the Irish wage rate through the floor in the service and especially the construction industries.

On top of this Ireland has massive social welfare benefits.  I hold an Irish passport and could move back there and live in relative comfort, certainly a decent degree of security, for the rest of my days.  Hell, for all I know so could you.

Anecdotal to be sure but I've heard stories of Poles, Czechs, Latvians, etc. making enough working in Ireland to buy 3-4 residences back in the home country.  Once they get to a point where their mortgage is covered by rents on the others they head back.

The Irish are getting sick of it.  Immigration is a major sore point.  Expect changes soon.

[Dunk]

For the record, Irish women are magnificent!!!

UB, last time I was over, all the way from Shannon airport to the hotel in Limerick, the cab driver was complaining about all the Eastern European immigrants.

And here's a picture I took of Blarney Castle. 

[Uisce Beatha]

Dunk, the grounds of Blarney Castle are magical.  One of the most peaceful places in the world.  If they had a barman on the premises I'd never leave.   

Every time I've been to Blarney I've had weather at least as nice as shown in your picture.