Ha! I had completely forgotten about it until this week. I wrote it for a reading that David Wheatley invited me to participate in when he was literature officer for Wicklow Co. Co. It was in the Tinahely courthouse (recurring theme here - see my response to your message about McGahern). I have to key the story in to the laptop - it's that old!!!
Interesting about McGahern. I never read his memoir but it sounds unusual all right to decorate the roadside with rhododendron branches . . . they would have been colourful. A friend of mine who lives in Leitrim told me last week that he has joined a committee formed to create a McGahern centre using the old courthouse in Ballinamore. A worthwhile project.
Your description of the rhododendrons reminded me of a passage in John McGahern’s memoir about the annual Corpus Christi procession, when the roadside was decorated with rhododendron branches. I wonder if that was a fairly modern version of an ancient custom, given that it’s a non-native species.
Thank you. A good and timely reminder on how important a role trees play in our lives. Our tidy towns team was just lamenting the lack of trees in newer housing developments. How do I send a copy of this to the local planning dept?
I can mail you the original text for the planners. Apart from all their other benefits, including in this context acting as buffers for noise and purifying the air somewhat trees soften the raw look of new buildings and make them more attractive.
Ha! I had completely forgotten about it until this week. I wrote it for a reading that David Wheatley invited me to participate in when he was literature officer for Wicklow Co. Co. It was in the Tinahely courthouse (recurring theme here - see my response to your message about McGahern). I have to key the story in to the laptop - it's that old!!!
Interesting about McGahern. I never read his memoir but it sounds unusual all right to decorate the roadside with rhododendron branches . . . they would have been colourful. A friend of mine who lives in Leitrim told me last week that he has joined a committee formed to create a McGahern centre using the old courthouse in Ballinamore. A worthwhile project.
Looking forward to that short story!
I was even surprised to find that it's called In the Company of Trees - after I had written the newsletter. So it was meant to be!
Your description of the rhododendrons reminded me of a passage in John McGahern’s memoir about the annual Corpus Christi procession, when the roadside was decorated with rhododendron branches. I wonder if that was a fairly modern version of an ancient custom, given that it’s a non-native species.
Thank you. A good and timely reminder on how important a role trees play in our lives. Our tidy towns team was just lamenting the lack of trees in newer housing developments. How do I send a copy of this to the local planning dept?
I can mail you the original text for the planners. Apart from all their other benefits, including in this context acting as buffers for noise and purifying the air somewhat trees soften the raw look of new buildings and make them more attractive.
What a wonderful peice. You put a lot of work into that and it was a very enjoyable read. Thank you 🌸
Thank you Rhona. So glad you enjoyed it. We had a lovely outing to Kilmacurragh which planted the idea in my mind. I had fun writing the post.