Blarney Castle Loses Trademark Battle | Cork News

Cork News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 27, 2026 · 2m

Blarney Castle’s trademark dreams just hit a legal snag—courts in Alicante, Spain, ruled that a local distillery can trademark “Blarney Emerald” for their spirits, despite the castle owner’s claims of consumer confusion. The EU’s IP office dismissed the castle’s “passing off” argument, noting its existing trademarks cover non-alcoholic goods like cider and vinegar, but not alcohol. The castle failed to prove strong trademark reputation beyond its iconic status, and evidence for vinegar sales was shaky. Even the cider’s alcohol content sparked debate, but the castle’s team clarified it’s…