Ritual site - holy tree/bush

The National Monuments Service's description

Marked on the 1837 and 1914 editions of the OS 6-inch map, and described as 'Corskeagh Tree' in gothic lettering on both, which is thought locally to mean 'odd or singular bush'. It is situated on a S-facing slope of Mullaghcreigha Hill. This is a hollow ash tree (circumference of bole 4.6m) which was thought to have been planted in the early 17th century to mark the site of an ancient mound (OS Name Books). It is known locally as the Hanging Tree because of a strong horizontal branch which is c. 2m over the ground. Locally it is said that a priest, thought to have been a Fr. Kelly, returning from saying Mass at Mullagherrigha Church (RO023-118----), c. 1.1 km to the NW, to Kilmore, c. 1km to the SE, was captured here and hung from the low branch. It is recorded that Bernard O’Kelly OP, a lay-brother of the Dominican Order from Roscommon, was hung in 1653 (Gillooly 2019).

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of revised upload: 18 April 2018
Amended: 7 October, 2019

References

Gillooly, M. 2019 A Pilgrimage of Privilege – 6th July 2014, a walk through the Caslan Hills, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. Journal of the Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society, vol. 14, 64-7.

OSNB - Ordnance Survey Name Books. Pro-forma books arranged by Civil Parish for recording townland and other name-forms and compiled in the course of the OS 6-inch survey 1824-1841. The name books also include minor names and incidental references to antiquities. National Archives of Ireland.