A fully mature Oak tree (An Daire) is certainly one of the most beautiful in the Irish or any landscape.

In Ireland, we enjoy just two native varieties – the Sessile (Quercus petraea) and the Pedunculate (Quercus robur). Acorns on the former have no stalks, while on the latter, they have. Meanwhile, Sessile leaves do have stalks, as well as tiny hairs on the pale underside.

While Sessile is the dominant variety in the West of Ireland, we unfortunately boast very few trees in this part of the world, due to our bog-covered, rain-lashed, sheep-ravaged landscapes. Indeed, it is the rarity of our tiny remnants of Atlantic Oak and mixed woodland that makes them so precious, special and in dire need of expansion.

The Oak leaves pictured above are from Lough Key Forest Park, County Roscommon.

Possibly Ireland’s two most famous trees, each estimated at over 300 years old, are the “Brian Boru Oak” near Tuamgreaney, Co. Clare and the “King Oak” in Charleville Estate outside Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

In the picture below of the Brian Boru, you can appreciate its size. Indeed, this tree has unfortunately been severely cut back over the centuries and no longer demonstrates what would have been its natural girth and bulk in times gone by.

Update 2023 : Pictured admiring the beauty is the late, great Andrew St. Ledger, RIP.

The Oak on The Bangor Trail

Sadly, the arduous Bangor Trail 26km hike only has one beautiful native tree along its entire length. I present here 3 images of that Sessile Oak, from different angles and times of the year.

Lore of The Oak Tree (An Daire)

Among the trees of Ireland, the Oak is considered king.

Known for its endurance and longevity, even today it is synonymous with strength and steadfastness. If you were to ask anybody on the street which is the ‘strongest’ or ‘most impressive’ Irish tree, they would surely suggest Oak.

Among our wonderful legends and myths, this tree stands as the most noble; almost the Tree of Life.

Traditionally, it was a symbol of strength, kingship, endurance and fertility and is still generally considered the King of Trees. Throughout Irish history, its significance is referred to. The Brehon Laws protected the Oak and the other ‘chieftain trees’. It is likely that several Celtic and Christian religious sites were located next to Oak woods, due to their spiritual importance.

Websites of interest on the subject of Ireland’s native trees include The Woodland League and The Native Woodland Trust.

Visit the preamble post on native trees of Ireland.