Growing appeal of the May Bush Festival across County Wexford Where to pick up your May Bush
Although we are still a few months away from May, the growing season waits for no one and Michael Fortune and Aileen Lambert, the people behind The Wexford May Bush Festival, have 300 young whitethorn ’skeaghs’ to give away for free to groups and individuals around the county.
The intention is that this new crop of May Bushes will be planted around the county to be decorated in the month of May, over the coming decades, preserving this lovely tradition well into the future. The custom, which involves decorating a bush for the month of May, heralds the coming of summer while it is also believed to keep bad luck from your door.
Last year, they distributed just short of 200 little whitethorns as part of the festival which were planted in homes, schools, village greens, crossroads and town squares. This year they are offering individuals, community groups and schools another 300 free May Bushes in a bid to grow the festival bit by bit.
For almost two decades they have been promoting the tradition of erecting a May Bush in Co. Wexford, a custom which they grew up with in Ballindaggin and Ballygarrett first hand.
‘Five years ago we formally established the Wexford May Bush Festival as a ground up initiative, run on a voluntary basis and every year we create further awareness of the tradition and develop the festival bit by bit,’ said Michael.
The couple have already been inundated with calls and requests from all over around the county. Michael says: ‘It takes a huge effort - from admin and distribution to the ten minute chat you have on the phone with people telling someone all about the tradition while reminiscing with others who grew up doing it.’
Going by the growing positive response it is safe to say that the May Bush tradition is now firmly rooted back in Wexford and Ireland due to their efforts. This year they have help with the work load and teamed up with 21 venues and groups from Gorey to Ramsgrange and Bunclody to Carnsore to help with local distribution.
IF you would like to get your hands on a May Bush for your home, school or community, please make your way to any of the collection points listed below. In exchange for your free May Bush Michael and Aileen ask that you take a photo of it being planted and send it to them by email micfortune@gmail.com or to The Wexford May Bush Festival on facebook. For the last number of years Michael has been producing a map of all the May Bushes around the county and he asks that you state the location of your planted May Bush so it can be added to the May Bush Map.
Please note - the little whitethorns are small and bare-root so please plant asap. Please note this works on a first come, first serve - so please arrive early.
If you want to find out more about the May Bush tradition go to The Wexford May Bush Festival Facebook page where you will learn all about the tradition and see videos and photos taken throughout Wexford over the past 15 years.
The trees were kindly provided by the Environment Department of Wexford County Council. The duo have also received support from the Arts Department of Wexford County Council under the ‘Festivals and Events Scheme’ for a very special traditional song and music event for May 1. (Collection on Sat. 15th Feb ONLY from 10.30am - 1pm. Supported by Irish National Heritage Park)
- KCC Killanerin Community Centre (Collection on Sat. 15th Feb ONLY from 10.30am - 1pm. Supported by Jim Hughes/Killanerin Men’s Shed)
(Collection from 17th of Feb. Monday to Friday - 9am - 5pm )
(Collection from 17th of Feb. Monday to Friday - 9am - 5pm )
(Collection on Sat. 22th Feb ONLY from 10.30am - 1pm. Supported by Gorey Tidy Towns/Gorey Library)
(Collection on Sat. 15th Feb ONLY from 10am - 11am. Supported by Bernie Byrne/Ballygarrett Tidy Towns)
(Collection on Sat. 15th Feb ONLYfrom11am-12.Supported Bernie Byrne/Ballygarrett Tidy Towns)
(Collection on Sat. 15th Feb ONLY from 10.30am - 11.30am Supported by Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns)
Collection on Sat. 15th Feb ONLY from 10.30am - 1pm. Supported by Eileen Dempsey/Bygone Days Storytelling House)
(Collection from 15th of Feb. Available to collect anytime but call Ellen to arrange 089 2056416)
(Collection on Sat. 15th Feb ONLY from 12am - 4.30pm. Michael and Aileen will be giving a short informal talk with songs on the tradition at 2pm also)
(Collection from the home of Michael Fortune/Aileen Lambert. Mon - Fri. Phone - 087 6470247)
(Moorhead’s old shop) (Collection on Sat. 15th Feb ONLY from 10am - 12pm. Supported by Jon King/Bunclody Men’s Shed)
(Collection on Sat. 15th Feb ONLY from 10.30am - 1pm. Supported by Philo Whelan/New Ross Tidy Towns)
(Collection on Thursday/ Friday 20th/21st Feb from 10am - 5pm. Phone Lucy on 051 389418 for more info)
(Collection from Monday 17th Feb. Monday to Thursday 10am-5pm and Friday 10am 1pm) Supported by Taghmon FRC/Taghmon Men’s Shed)
(Collection from Monday 17th Feb. Monday to Friday from 9am - 5pm. Call 053 91 29922 for more info. Supported by Stella Maris Centre)
from15thFeb.Collectionfrom7amto9pm MontoSatand8amto8pmonSunday)Call shopon051563096formoreinfo.
(Collection from Emmet from 15th of Feb. 9am - 5pm - Monday to Friday)
(CollectiononSat.15thFeb.ONLYfrom2pm -4pm.SupportedbyBrianBoyceandthe Kilrane/RosslareHarbourMen’sShed)
(Collection on Sat. 22th Feb ONLY from 2.30pm 4.30pm. Includes a free public talk on the May Bush by Michael at 2.30pm)
(Collection on Sat. 15th Feb ONLY from 10am - 12pm. Supported by Ciara Barron)
(Collection from 15th of Feb. Open Every Day. 9am - 4.30pm. Free access/parking)
(Collection on Sat. 15th Feb. ONLY from 11am - 1pm. Supported by Ferns Tidy Towns)