Work on Rathcormac’s historic ‘Hanging Trees’ likely to start soon
As public realm works in Rathcormac are due to take place outside the Garda Station, it is expected that works on the historic ‘hanging trees’ will also take place soon.
The prominent Rathcormac trees likely received the name ‘hanging trees’ due to the tragic events of the rebellion of 1798, with local tradition claiming the spot to have been where Nicholas Burke, John Dahill and Florence McCarthy were hanged for their part in the uprising.
All three men from Curraglass were tried by court-martial in 1798 and convicted of tendering ‘unlawful oaths and other treasonable practices’.
According to a report at the time, the men were sentenced to be hanged in Tallow.
In Rathcormac, local tradition dictated that the men were arrested for ‘pike-making’ and hanged from the ‘four trees’ on the Green in the village. A headstone to John Dahill in Rathcormac Cemetery has also helped perpetuate his memory.
CUTTINGS
According to Conor Gurrin, works regarding the trees fall under the wider public realm works for Rathcormac Village which includes the realignment of the street.
“It’s part of the public realm works to do up the whole village. The plan is to take seeds off the lime trees to grow into saplings and use those saplings in other parts of the village,” Mr Gurrin said.
In 2020, Cork County Council issued a Part 8 Planning Report regarding the R639 Public Realm and Streetscape Regeneration Scheme for Rathcormac which included details of the plans for the ‘hanging trees’.
Within the plan, it was stated that the hanging trees are ‘approaching their final years’, something which is clearly seen today as the trees appear hollowed out, with pieces breaking away from the trunks.
“This proposal seeks to aerate the root zone around the trees in addition to provide a bespoke metal tree grille around the trees. This will be set flush with the footpath and will include a metal strip which will link across the road to the other footpath.
“Here the tree grille pattern is reflected in steel within the paving. 3 bespoke sculptural columns are proposed on this footpath to imitate the rhythm of the trees. It is intended that cuttings from the existing Hanging Trees will be grafted onto rootstocks and planted on the opposite side of the street to the hanging trees, thereby maintaining the memory of the Hanging Trees,” the report read.
Such works are now with the council, being carried out to their timeline, following the submission of a plan from Rathcormac Community Council.
It is understood that Cork County Council is due to begin works outside the Rathcormac Garda Station soon to extend the footpath, which could see works to the trees also carried out in due course.
TheA vondhu contacted Cork County Council regarding a timeline for works on the trees. However, the council was unable to issue a response ahead of going to press.