Heritage Week Project 2020

Community Biodiversity Project 2014-2020 at Macroom Castlegrounds Demesne

on a 1.7 Acre Site Following a Larch/Spruce Plantation Clearfell 2013

Following their decision to clearfell the exotic evergreen plantation on a 1.7 acre site in the

heart of Macroom’s historic Parkland, the Trustees invited a detailed proposal from the

author and Conor O’Callaghan - an Arboriculture post graduate studying for his Masters.

In summary, our submission envisaged “Site Restoration” primarily via “Natural

Regeneration” – welcoming the pioneering vegetative response after fifty years of dense

shading under a commercial forest crop and tree planting of native and locally sourced genetic

material, where available. Trustees approval was communicated early March 2014 – in time

for National Tree Week 2014 – our inputs would be voluntary and our outlays associated with

outsourcing stock and acquisition of tools, soil conditioners (seaweed dust), rabbit guards,

bamboo markers, etc. would be borne by Trustees.

Our written Agreement ensured adherence to Organic Practices – not alone because the site

drains into the Freshwater Pearl Mussel River Sullane – Primary and Secondary Schools and

their respective Special Needs Units would participate in consecutive National Tree Week

planting activities – and young and old have supported consecutive National Heritage Weeks

2014-2019.

The attached pictures record the site in March 2014;

Tree Week 2014;

A School Group planting Hazel 2015;

The site the previous November (2014);

T.Y. plant Ash, Tree Week 2015;

We mark the 165th anniversary of Olive, Lady Ardilaun’s birth in Macroom Castle on August

25th 2015 with a specimen of her favour Evergreen Oak (Quercus Ilex).

A plaque in her honour is erected the same day, adjacent to the site. Olive sold her “old Cork

home” to Trustees in 1924 for the benefit of the Townspeople. As a direct descendant of

Cormac Láidir McCarthy, Viscount Muskerry of Macroom Castle born 1411 A.D. Olive came

from the town’s oldest family.

During Easter Week 2016, we mark 1916 with a Sessile Oak specimen –

And a picture from March 2017, in advance of Tree Week captures the emergent Biodiversity

and exceptional growth of Downy Birch planted August 2015 by Trustee Miriam Cronin.

Forty helpers planted forty trees – Crabapple; Alder; Aspen; Common Oak; Yew and Holly

during Heritage Week 2017 –

The photo records Michael Lucey (88) and Tom O’Flaherty (4 ½).

Earlier in 2017, Jeremy from mid Ulster (an undergraduate Arboriculture Student attending

Lancs. U.K. Forestry College) volunteers to help plant an Alder and Hawthorn grove.

We marked Heritage Week 2018 with an Oak planting following a site tour identifying the 24

native tree species.

See “Muskerry Oak 2019” earlier in this online series for our Heritage Week celebration.

Additionally, School and College Groups have assisted author to measure and record several

of the veteran trees within the Castlegrounds since the early 1990’s –

Here is a Biology Class re-measuring a Demesne Beechtree

And a Furniture Maker 3rd Year Class from Cork’s Coláiste Stiofán Naofa.

Commemorative Yew tree planting on the castle grounds site in 2020. The dense vegetation

shows how well the site has developed since 2014

2020 marks the sixth year of this Biodiversity Programme – we missed out on National Tree

Week this year because of the then “Epidemic” – but Deo Volens, we plan a Community

Cruinniú onsite to mark Heritage Week 2020, to mark this the “International Year of Plant

Health”. Author welcomes all fellow “Lifelong Learners” to observe a Best Practice

“Treestoration” model made possible by Nature; the Trustees and Local Community.

Author acknowledges Conor O’ Callaghan’s commitment during the initial phase and we all

wish him well in his professional vocation.

Subject to the continuing “Public Health Measures”, author will be onsite at the adjacent Golf

Club Carpark, Sunday, August 23rd from 2:00pm.

By Ted Cook