Kilkenny's native trees are the star of new walking trail in Kells

A beautiful new walking route in the village of Kells is set to showcase all of Ireland’s native trees.
Minister Malcolm Noonan was in the village to launch the trail, last weekend.

The idea of Kells Tidy Towns, they hope the trail will add an extra dimension to visits to the historic area.

Kells Tidy Towns have planted or highlighted an example of all Ireland’s native trees on publicly accessible sites in the village. A leaflet produced to accompany the trail sets out each variety, how to identify it and, interestingly, the importance of the trees to Irish society in the past.

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The leaflet has notes based on the 8th Century law text Bretha Comaithchesa that reflect the values of the trees at the time as either ‘Lords of the Wood’ or ‘Lower divisions of the Wood’ - for example the penalty for damaging an oak was two milch cows, and if you damaged a blackthorn you were fined a yearling heifer!

Under the ancient law a fine of one sheep could also be imposed for causing damage to bushes of the wood.

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The trail was first established in 2021. Many of the trees were already flourishing in the area but the Tidy Towns group has set about planting the varieties that were missing.
This year they have planted buckthorn, bird cherry, guelder rose, dogwood and privet.

The trees can be seen in locations throughout Kells including at Mullins Mill, Hutchinson’s Mill, in the Priory Graveyard and Priory car park, St Kieran’s graveyard, St Mary’s church, and along the river bank.