A Time to Remember
Church View residents, Dromiskin Tidy Towns Committee and Principal, Ms Lynch and children of St Peter’s N.S. met on Tuesday evening to plant four native Irish trees in Church View Estate.
The BOM, pupils and staff at St Peter’s N.S. are delighted to reach out to the residents of Church View and plant these beautiful trees in memory of family members who have passed away over the past year. We took some time after planting the Hazel tree to pay tribute to our loved ones. We hope these trees will flourish in this vibrant community and that the legacy of mothers and fathers, sons and daughters who are no longer with us will stay with each generation for many years to come.
Photographs of the event can be seen here.
It seems so long since the school community suggested to Eileen Mulligan that we work together to enhance the grounds of the housing estate.
Many thanks to Senator Erin McGreehan for providing the native species, Alder, Birch, Hazel and Holly trees. We are grateful to the Dromiskin Tidy Towns members and especially Brian Corr for preparing the ground and providing advice on optimum planting. Well done to the eager helpers, young and younger still in giving a helping hand with your smiles and light-hearted banter. Your energy, courage and togetherness as a community is a fitting tribute to all in Church View Estate.
Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.
A little info on each tree: (available at https://www.ringofgullion.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/OurTrees.pdf)
Alder- Fearn (planted in the flower bed at front of estate)
The alder was traditionally used to make shields, and when cut, its wood turns from white to blood red. It was known to be a tree of war and death. Bronze Age shields made from Alder have been found in Ireland. It is also believed that the Alder gave its name to the ‘Red Branch Knights of Ulster’. It is to be derived that ‘craobh rua’ or red branch were so called because their shields were bright red and made from Alder. It is an old Irish Tradition that the first man sprang from Alder.
Birch- Beith (planted on its own at entrance)
Closely associated with St. Brigid and widely linked with birth and young children, it was often put over cradles to protect babies. It is a symbol of love and purity for the protection of evil. It was often used to expel evil spirits and keep away demons. Birch is a symbol of love in Celtic tales; the Warrior Diarmuid made a bed for himself and his lover Grainne out of soft rushes and birch tops.
Hazel- Coll ( planted in flower bed at top of estate)
A native species with many uses and an ancient history. Hazel nuts are one of the foods associated with the very earliest human settlements in Ireland of Mesolithic man, who also used hazel as the strong flexible timber for his huts. Hazel bushes may be coppiced i.e. cut right back to a stump, and will re-grow. The slender timber poles that result from coppicing were used in the construction of wattle and daub, and fences. Hazel is also a traditional material in the construction of eel and lobster traps.
Holly- Cuileann ( planted between Flower Beds on left of estate)
They are green all year, and along with ivy were traditionally used for midwinter or Christmas decorations, as a sign of green life to come. In some areas it is considered unlucky to cut down holly, and it may be left as standards along a hedgerow. The hard pale wood is valued for wood carving.