Sacred Trees in Irish Folklore and Mythology

"Whoever plants a tree, plants hope, peace, and love and has the blessings of God."
- Elder Amphilochios of Patmos.
While rooted in the earth, trees ascend towards the firmament of the Heavens. They likewise renew themselves through the eternal rhythms that govern all living things (those cycles of growth, maturation, decay and rebirth) as they blossom, flower, give fruit and eventually shed their leaves before being reborn anew each spring. Certain of these proud intermediaries between heaven and earth were treated with great veneration by our forebears, and echoes of the worship of sacred trees survives in folk tradition to this day.
From sacred trees under which kings of Ireland were inaugurated in times long ago, to the holy woods inhabited by both madmen and saints, and from votive offerings left hanging on the branches of trees growing beside holy wells, to those trees treated with fear and trepidation, understood as they were, as dwellings of the otherworld spirits which live alongside us in the natural landscape. Here we shelter beneath the branches of tradition, which gift to us the fruits of memory and meaning.
This video features audio and photographic materials from the archives of the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin.

[@pjulian777]

Thanks for posting, this was very interesting and informative. I especially liked the musical lilt of the voices of the old people, that music has gone out of us completely.

[@mollydooker9636]

We still do this today, on a Sunday after mass many folk go to a sacred well or tree and make an offering. Christianity is fairly skin deep in Ireland.

[@VijaySuryaAditya]

Fascinating stuff. The Tree is an ancient symbol of The Goddess.

[@bonp3502]

Really interesting. I love trees and I love hearing the lore of older people. I love 'he didn't hang himself in this tree.'

[@Shiyounin]

Thanks for the video

[@bunyip5841]

Pattern Days were a feature of my childhood. You walked around a Holy Well and stand of trees reciting prayers.

[@pauldillon6579]

...remember the root witch? Brilliant piece.

[@aray4031]

Very good work. You might consider highlighting key words (particularly old Irish words) on the screen with text so the listener can see them and read them. It would help with absorption

[@mjm_artistry]

Imagine if our traditions weren't erased by monotheism.

[@mickodillon1480]

Do like me a creepy tree. Or a load of creepy trees. Good work Jonny.

[@andrewbrown6522]

I dont mean to offend you but maybe try turning voice up and background off. I cant really follow most of what you are saying on phone speakers.

[@folkloreandtraditionsofire4170]

None taken. You're right, the audio quality is pretty poor here, forgive me please!

[@andrewbrown6522]

@@folkloreandtraditionsofire4170 Its at least half my fault for watching on a crappy phone
Lol