Sceach gheal

The bright bush, the hawthorn, the whitethorn, the may bush - flowering with gusto right now and smelling intoxicating, (said to be similar to gangrene!) Or maybe I should say enchanting for the hawthorn has long been associated with the good people/fairies. Decorated for May Day it's considered very unlucky to bring a branch into the house. A sacred tree, often seen growing by a holy well and maybe decorated with rags, yet also seen alone, enigmatic and windswept in a field, always left well alone for here the fairies congregate, maybe guarding that the elusive pot of gold. 
A Fairy Tree
A short distance out side the town of Clogheen there stands a hawthorn tree-not an ordinary one, though, but of a very peculiar shape. For generations past this tree has been known as the "Fairy Tree". How it came by this name is still a mystery, but it is the firm belief that on Mid Summer's eve the fairies dance around this tree, and therefore, it is very much venerated. So much indeed, that nobody would dare to puck a branch or a blossom from it for fear of incurring the wrath of the fairies. An other popular tradition is that Cromwell hanged innocent men and women on this tree and that beneath it lies a buried treasure. This may be true but no one dares to explore this treasure - it is guarded by the fairies. Certain people however need have no fear of this tree thus the song says

"But those whose hearts are clean,
Need never fear the fairy-tree
That grows beyonds Clogheen."
Collected in the 1930sfrom Knocklong School, Limerick, part of the Schools' Folklore Collection.


A day of housewifery and then the good news that a heritage grant will be forthcoming for  the book. Action stations!