From old maps, it appears that this tree once stood within the grounds of Bloomfield House. Long before any of us were born, long before cars, long before the idea of a motorway brushing past its boundary. This tree has stood quietly, season after season, through everything the world has thrown at it. The oak tree on the grounds of St Patrick's Church in Rochestown, Cork. If you’re passing St Patrick’s over Christmas, maybe take a moment to stand beneath it.

Source: Irish Examiner December 21, 2025 14:51 UTC