Faery Tree
Fairy Tree
A Fairy tree is usually a Hawthorn tree but could be an Ash that is typically found standing alone in a centre of a field, on the side of the road, at an ancient pagan site or a holy well. They are found all over Ireland and are believed to be scared grounds for the ‘wee folk’.
Some believe if you damage or cut down one of these trees you’ll be faced with a life of bad luck. As such, most people are very leery of touching one, even today. In fact in 1999 work was interrupted on the main road from Limerick to Galway because a fairy tree stood in its path. The road had to be rerouted and construction was delayed for 10 years.
In the past often unbaptized children were buried beneath them, the strict taboo against moving the tree as well as the supernatural power of the tree itself would ensure that the graves were never disturbed, providing deep comfort for the families.
People leave prayers, gifts, ribbons or a personal token of some kind attached to the trees branches to ask blessings from local saints, deities or the 'wee folk' in the hope of receiving healing, good fortune, or having their prayer answered.
A Fairy tree is usually a Hawthorn tree but could be an Ash that is typically found standing alone in a centre of a field, on the side of the road, at an ancient pagan site or a holy well. They are found all over Ireland and are believed to be scared grounds for the ‘wee folk’.
Some believe if you damage or cut down one of these trees you’ll be faced with a life of bad luck. As such, most people are very leery of touching one, even today. In fact in 1999 work was interrupted on the main road from Limerick to Galway because a fairy tree stood in its path. The road had to be rerouted and construction was delayed for 10 years.
In the past often unbaptized children were buried beneath them, the strict taboo against moving the tree as well as the supernatural power of the tree itself would ensure that the graves were never disturbed, providing deep comfort for the families.
People leave prayers, gifts, ribbons or a personal token of some kind attached to the trees branches to ask blessings from local saints, deities or the 'wee folk' in the hope of receiving healing, good fortune, or having their prayer answered.