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The Matrimonial Tree
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Very few people in the Twin Towns know that just outside
the town of Ballybofey, a perfect example of a Matrimonial
Tree still stands..
As far back as 1769 the Irish Forestry award system was
in place, whereby a farmer who planted Oak, Ash, Elm, Weymouth
Pine or Scots Pine on his holding would be rewarded with a
medal.
This encouraged many Irish landlords to plant their estates
with these tree species.
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An interesting custom at the time among the gentry was the
planting of two trees to celebrate an engagement. When the
couple eventually got married the two trees were grafted one
to the other to form one tree, symbolising the union of the
couple.
There is a perfect example of a matrimonial tree on the old
Conyngham estate at Summerhill House, Ballybofey.
In the first photograph (top), the grafting is concealed
by the heavy foliage but in the second picture (right),
taken in June 2002, the extent of the grafting is very obvious
and the two trees have become as one.
Closer to the old house, there is a second example of grafted
trees (the photograph on the left), showing that in
this family, at least two weddings were celebrated in this
way.
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Did You Know?
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| William Connolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Parliament
in the 18th century, was married to a Katherine Conyngham,
whose family held property in Ballybofey. |
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Click to enlarge
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Click to enlarge
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Then
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Now
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Above (left) you can see a picture of Summerhill House,
taken in or before 1912. The girl in the doorway is wearing
the traditional staff uniform and was undoubtedly a maid at
the house.
Older residents of the area can remember a time when Summerhill
House was once a magnificent family residence, standing in
lush acres of well-tended land, looking proudly down on the
townland of Sessiaghoneill and the surrounding areas. Sadly,
nowadays only the solid stone shell remains, together with
the remnants of what must have been a beautiful walled garden.
Rumour has it that the present owner lives in Kenya, and indeed
is claimed by some to have turned up briefly in Donegal a
couple of years ago...obviously without regard to sentiment.
This has to be one of the worst examples of waste and neglect
to be witnessed anywhere in the country, and has to be seen
to be believed. Anyone brave enough to attempt a visit to
the site, be warned! Wear your wellies and take a stout stick,
otherwise you could sink without trace into the quagmire surrounding
the old house (the above photographs did not come easily...we
suffer for our art, so please appreciate).
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An Taisce
(The National Trust for Ireland)
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An Taisce (The National Trust for Ireland) has currently
adopted a policy of objecting vehemently to 'one off'
housing in rural areas. Basically, what this means is
that when residential Planning Permission is sought,
even on one's own family land, a member of An Taisce
can lodge an objection (even if they live in a different
county) and as often as not, can prevent the applicant
from obtaining the necessary permission to build. If
this policy persists, it can only isolate families and
in time, leave our countryside stripped bare of the
close community spirit and warmth for which this country
is traditionally known. And all this supposedly to protect
our environment? Surely it would be more in keeping
for an organisation classing itself as The National
Trust for Ireland to preserve beautiful old buildings,
such as Summerhill House and its close neighbour, Glenmore
House / Castle (which has all but collapsed?)
If you agree with our thoughts, then please contact
An Taisce's Heritage Officer and say so.
An Taisce Heritage Officer: Ian Lumley
Tel: +353 (0)1 454 9248
Postal Address: Tailors Hall, Back Lane, Dublin 8, Ireland
Email: heritage@antaisce.org
URL: http://www.antaisce.org/
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