Treasured Irish tourist attraction joins list of luckiest landmarks in the world
For centuries, people all around the world have sought to boost their fortunes
by visiting special sites that are believed to bring good luck.
Sometimes it involves tossing coins into fountains or touching statues, and other times, simply being in the presence of a certain location is said to
bring good fortune.
These sites are dotted around the world, and according to SuomiCasino, there are some that are so popular, people travel from all corners of the earth to test their powers.
SuomiCasino
analysed the popularity of some of the most iconic sites, drawing on data from Instagram, TikTok, and Google search trends to determine the most popular lucky landmarks throughout Europe.
One Irish landmark
made the list.
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Ranking in fourth place among Europe's top lucky landmarks, is
the Blarney Stone in Co Cork.
The popular tourist attraction has been tagged in 76,900 Instagram posts and is searched 110,000 times a month.
The iconic site has been there for centuries, and for several hundred years, there has been
a tradition associated with the stone that is said to bring luck.
Visitors are encouraged to kiss the stone, in order to obtain the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness - or as the Irish call it, the 'gift of the gab.'
A tourist bends back to kiss the Blarney Stone in 1977
(Image: Michael SERRAILLIER/GAMMA-RAPHO/Getty Images)
While it might not be the most hygienic practice, kissing the stone is still incredibly popular for tourists. It's estimated that around 400,000 people give the stone a smooch every year.
There are plenty of varying versions of how the Blarney stone came to be, many of which are rooted in Irish mythology. Some believe that it had a religious connotation, while others say it was a gift given to chieftain Cormac Laidir MacCarthy by King of Scots Robert the Bruce in the early 1300s for his support to Scotland in the Battle of Bannockburn.
However it came to be known as the luckiest stone in Ireland, the Blarney Stone entices tourists to the area in
Co Cork
. And it is not the only site in Ireland that is believed to bring good luck.
The Stone of Destiny at the Hill of Tara overlooks the fields of Co Meath
(Image: Getty Images)
The Hill of Tara
was also named on SuomiCasino's list, at number 7. The ancient site in
Co Meath
has been a significant part of Ireland's history since between 600 BC and 400 AD. It was once the inauguration place and seat of the High Kings of Ireland.
Now, visitors visit the site to hug the stone of destiny, which according to legend is supposed to bring you good luck. The stone was said to roar when a true king stood upon it, signifying their legitimacy.
Other lucky landmarks on the list include Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, which is believed to grant wishes, and the Pont des Arts in Paris, which is said to bring eternal love. The Trevi Fountain in Rome is number one on the list and is believed to make one wish come true for a visitor who tosses a coin in.
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage
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