Carney's Tree, Killalane.

briany

On the back road between Skerries and Balrothery, in the townland of Killalane, lies this tree sitting on its own little island in the middle of the road junction. I've heard that it's called Carney's Tree. Just wondering if anyone local to that area or knowledgeable of its history knows anything about this particular tree. I read somewhere that it marked a spot where a cannon was placed to bombard Baldongan Church a couple of kilometres away during the Irish Confederate War in the 1660s, and there is one entry on Duchas about it that tells of an old funeral tradition where pall bearers would walk around it 3 times and set the coffin on the opposite bank before continuing to the church. This is all the information I can find.

I was wondering if it may be a fairy tree of some kind and so was never cleared when the road was originally constructed and then maybe just left there as a tradition? And who was Carney, if it's name was actually Carney's Tree? Would be interested to know.

Nodster

I've seen the tree also called Kearney's Tree under road closing orders by Fingal CC for a local motorbike road race. No idea where the name devolved but St. Mobhi's ancient graveyard is a few hundred metres away

https://consult.fingal.ie/en/consultation/temporary-road-closure-skerries-area

Wishbone Ash

Is it just me or was Carney's tree much bigger years ago? It seems to be getting smaller each year.

The Hill Billy

I thinks that there's been a few 'Carney's' trees down through the years.😉

briany

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119236421#Comment_119236421

Yeah, I think they replaced the tree at least once. That still doesn't explain any story behind the tree, or trees, planted there, though.

neris

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119236430#Comment_119236430

The tree equivalent of triggers broom