The Sacred Tree

County Waterford

Within County Waterford, there are many instances of sacred trees, i.e. immortal. The trees are usually attributable to a saint.

One such example is St Colman's sacred tree, which resides close to Ardmore, County Waterford. The saint was walking nearby his church one afternoon, when he saw a stick on the ground. He picked up the stick and dug it into the ground. Gradually the stick developed a root, and grew into an immortal tree which could never be destroyed.

People were aware of the tree, and the fact that it could not be harmed in any imaginable way for fear of reprisals. Nevertheless, one foolish man tore off some twigs from the tree and took them home to put on his fire.

As the man came to his front door, it suddenly appeared to be engulfed in flames. He quickly went to get some water. When he returned, there was no fire, nor the smell of burning in the air.

The apparent fire happened another three times, and each time the man returned with water in tow to find that his house was not on fire. The fourth time the man ignored what he now perceived to be an illusion, and hence the house promptly burnt to the ground!