In 1999 the upgrading of the National route from Limerick to Galway was delayed, rerouted and eventually opened nearly 10 years after it was supposed to have started. The Clare County Council as part of their Contract had protect the fairy tree 'access is not permitted within a minimum 5m radius and a protective fence has been erected around it.'
Eddie Lenihan local folklorist and story teller who was known in Ireland came into the spotlight internationally when he raised an objection, because this tree is the meeting point for the faeries of Munster (southern region of Ireland) when they go into battle with the faeries of Connaught (western region of Ireland). People magazine and others raised the story along with all the local papers and radio stations. The road was moved to accomodate the faeries, but it still means that they have to cross a busy motorway on their way to the meeting place!
In 2002 someone attacked the tree during the night with a chainsaw (maybe it was those pesky Connaught faeries), but they only took its branches. The tree grew back, though the bad news for the person that cut the tree is that folklore says that if you cut the tree, you will never get a good nights sleep again!
In 2002 someone attacked the tree during the night with a chainsaw (maybe it was those pesky Connaught faeries), but they only took its branches. The tree grew back, though the bad news for the person that cut the tree is that folklore says that if you cut the tree, you will never get a good nights sleep again!
7 comments:
Sheesh, don't you know that fairies can fly?? They just fly right over that motorway, no problem. ;-)
we have so many types of faeries and only a few can fly, I thought the motorway would make life easier for them ;)
Ah, the Fair Folk live in the earth - they just go UNDER the motorway.
Naughts to ye all. The lovely bits of mischief have licensed motorway access, bought some buses, pulled some building permits and will will soon be making enough tourist dollars to buy all the non-believers out of their properties and return the isle to her former emerald essence.
A lot of them drive now, but othey do have a 5 meter protection area around the tree as per the road contract see link above
Up to reading this always thought it was the whusky . . . Here to learn what I must have been doing while sleep (drunk) walking & also explains why I never seem to have a good nights rest ... Blast dem fairies ;)
I wish I could vist the blessed tree, my family and I love Ireland& all its beauty. My family and I wish we could meet the wee folk and learn from them. I know if I had the money I would come to the blessed country of Ireland. If I ever get to bring everyone there, I know I would be home..... Blessings to All of YOU.
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