FLORENCE COURT YEW

Yews are ancient trees native to Ireland. They formed the great primeval forests, which dominated the earth long before the advent of broad-leafed trees. Fossilised seeds of yew have been found in peat deposits that were laid down between 8,000 and 9,000 years ago.

Northern Ireland has the distinction of cultivating the Irish yew,a dense, dark and sombre tree with its distinctive upright habit .

The mother of all Irish yews in the world was found by a farmer, George Willis in 1740. He found two young yew trees displaying a fastigated character ( stiff, erect and slender like an Italian cypress) in the Cuilcagh mountains in county Fermanagh. He planted one in his garden and gave one to his landlord, Lord Enniskillen, who planted it at Florence Court House.
Mr Willis's yew died but the Florencecourt yew prospered. During the 19th century many cuttings were taken and dispatched far and wide, so that some 260 years later all fastigiated yews across the world can be said to have derived from that one tree.

With such an ancient appearance and the ability for seemingly perpetual renewal, it is no wonder that yew trees became such universal symbols of regeneration, revered by people throughout the ages. In Ireland yew trees have always been sacred trees.

In the yews tradition of regeneration and renewal, the MOTHER OF ALL IRISH YEWS can still be seen at Florencecourt.

Brendan has several different products which are created using this fascinating timber. Contact him using the link on the left if you are interested in this product range. More photos will be added to the website soon.