K
Kentucky Kache
Guest
Local tradition claims that the highway man hid his treasure under a tree in th
The Cratloe Woods are a forested area around the village of Cratloe in County Clare, Ireland. Much of the original oak wood has been replaced with coniferous forestry in the past century. However small pockets of native oakwood survive. The largest such pocket is the Garranon, or Garranone, wood, which is visible on the hillside just north of the N18 road from Limerick to Shannon.
Many stories, some based on facts, some on tradition are associated with Cratloe Wood. Recent scientific research has concentrated on Garranone wood which is a sizable area of native species. Palynological research at the site indicates that woodland has covered the spot from the present to at least the late Middle Ages. Ownership has been with the McNamara's or the O'Briens for the past thousand years and the woods at Cratloe hill are the subject of poems and stories going back at least until the 17th century. Notable writers who have mentioned the site include Elizabeth Bowen who used the woodland at Garranone to symbolise the continuity of the Irish landscape as well as Samuel Ferguson whose love poem, 'the Lapful of Nuts' describes him spending happy times in Cratloe collecting nuts with his sweetheart. This poem dates at least to the mid nineteenth century. Cratloe also figures in Brian Merriman's famous work, the Midnight Court. In the past, the main connection between Ennis and Limerick was a road running along what is now the southern edge of the Garranone wood and has a long association with criminality. In the 18th century a highwayman was based on the route. Local tradition claims that the highway man hid his treasure under a tree in the woods and an oblique reference to this or a contemporary villain is in The Midnight Court. Some veracity of this tale is given in the hanging of an alleged criminal in Ennis around this time. The outlaw is described as almost a cross between Ned Kelly and Robin Hood. In the 1970s and 1980s the site was associated with IRA training and foresters were advised to make lots of noise as they went in order not to come across the paramilitaries whilst they trained.
The Cratloe Woods are a forested area around the village of Cratloe in County Clare, Ireland. Much of the original oak wood has been replaced with coniferous forestry in the past century. However small pockets of native oakwood survive. The largest such pocket is the Garranon, or Garranone, wood, which is visible on the hillside just north of the N18 road from Limerick to Shannon.
Many stories, some based on facts, some on tradition are associated with Cratloe Wood. Recent scientific research has concentrated on Garranone wood which is a sizable area of native species. Palynological research at the site indicates that woodland has covered the spot from the present to at least the late Middle Ages. Ownership has been with the McNamara's or the O'Briens for the past thousand years and the woods at Cratloe hill are the subject of poems and stories going back at least until the 17th century. Notable writers who have mentioned the site include Elizabeth Bowen who used the woodland at Garranone to symbolise the continuity of the Irish landscape as well as Samuel Ferguson whose love poem, 'the Lapful of Nuts' describes him spending happy times in Cratloe collecting nuts with his sweetheart. This poem dates at least to the mid nineteenth century. Cratloe also figures in Brian Merriman's famous work, the Midnight Court. In the past, the main connection between Ennis and Limerick was a road running along what is now the southern edge of the Garranone wood and has a long association with criminality. In the 18th century a highwayman was based on the route. Local tradition claims that the highway man hid his treasure under a tree in the woods and an oblique reference to this or a contemporary villain is in The Midnight Court. Some veracity of this tale is given in the hanging of an alleged criminal in Ennis around this time. The outlaw is described as almost a cross between Ned Kelly and Robin Hood. In the 1970s and 1980s the site was associated with IRA training and foresters were advised to make lots of noise as they went in order not to come across the paramilitaries whilst they trained.
