Description
Errigal Mountain, Glentornan/Dunlewey, County Donegal, Ireland
Errigal Mountain is the obvious focal point in this scene. But what had really grasped my attention to capture this photo, were these little Fairy Trees amongst the ancient dry stone walls on the slopes of ‘Dunlewey Lough’.
This area is steeped in ancient myths & legends of Giants, Fairies, Ghosts & historic events. There is no better place fitting to witness Irish Fairy trees than here, with the majestic ‘Errigal’ guarding over these lands & the glistening waters of ‘Dunlewey Lough’ with its sandy shores. I would honestly stay here forever if I could ?
A fairy tree is traditionally a tree (normally a Hawthorn) that stands alone in a field or a natural clearing. Our Irish folklore tells us that these mysterious trees are believed to be gateways to the Otherworld for elves & fairies (Sidhe). These gateways are so important to the little folk it is said that “those who cause harm to a fairy tree will be cursed by the ‘Sidhe’ & have terrible bad luck for the remainder of their days” If you even touch a fairy tree you still run the risk of calling unlucky attention to yourself! This is why it is not a good idea to touch or damage Fairy Trees in any form as they are important magical gateways for our Irish Fairies. Please don’t be panicking about this photo as it is perfectly safe to look & admire these trees ?
Almost all kinds of tree found in ireland have been thought to have special powers or to serve as the abode of the fairies. Especially the magical trio of Oak, Ash, & especially Hawthorn. These trees in particular were and still are so sacred that to this very day, no farmer would dare touch them with a saw blade in the fear of getting cursed! That’s why when you travel Ireland’s countryside almost every other field will have a single tree standing lonesome, The Irish Fairy Tree ?♀️?
