Ireland's hills and hedgerows are blooming with the golden glow of yellow furze. This prolific plant and flowering shrub adds stunning color to the Irish landscape each and every year.
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A Plant Of Many Names
Now this hill brightening plant bears many names throughout Ireland.
I grew up calling it furze. In northern counties this landscape illuminator is referred to as whins.
Other names include gorse and broom, but interestingly both furze and gorse are words with Anglo-Saxon origins.
The Irish word for gorse is aiteann (pronounced ah-chin).
Whatever you choose to call it, these spectacular, yet prickly plants are part and parcel of my Irish memories. Their yellow blooms are loved by butterflies and moths.
A Flower For All Seasons
With different species of gorse plants thriving in Irish soil, these yellow flowers bloom all year round especially on hillsides drenched in sunlight and along Irish rural hedges.
Their bright yellow color is beloved by all, but their green pointy leaves must be handled with care. These yellow flowering shrubs add interest to the green foliage and fields of Ireland.
This long flowering season gave rise to the old saying ....
“When furze is out of bloom, kissing is out of fashion.”
Love, like hope, springs eternal. We all know kissing is unlikely to ever stop, and likewise gorse will unlikely never cease to flower in Ireland.
Furze or Gorse Whiskey and Wine
Yellow gorse petals are actually edible, and are used to make a special brew called gorse flower wine, a favorite of our ancient Celtic forebears.
In years gone by, the golden glow of Irish whiskey was achieved by using gorse flowers, which also added subtle almond flavor to Ireland's favorite distilled beverage.
These edible flowers have been used in salads, and for tea, and the buds were pickled like capers.
But be fair warned. Overeating can lead to an upset stomach due to slightly toxic alkaloids in the bloosoms.
Furze - A Farmer's Friend
Often seen in hedgerows, the prickly spines of the furze bush make it a good barrier for containing livestock.
Furze "grows like wild fire" making it a little invasive for some farmers' liking. Before there were limitations on unlicensed burning, old furze growth was frequently burned back to help nourish the soil. The ashes of the furze were alkaline making them a perfect fertilizer.
New furze shoots where a food greatly enjoyed by cattle and sheep.
Here's a short video highlighting the beauty of the Irish landscape, festooned in yellow furze blossoms...
Burning furze torches around farm animals was believed to promote fertility. Whether this fertility trick worked or not, the gorse smoke also helped to kill fleas and other unwanted creepy crawlies in animals' coats.
Alkali furze ashes were also mixed with animal fat to make soap.
In County Kerry furze was used to treat horses for worms, a fact I'm quite certain you never before thought you needed to know. Here's an excerpt from the Irish National Folklore Collection ....
'Get a few handfuls of the yellow blossoms of the furze and boil them in water. Give the water as a dose to the horse and this will cure worms'.
~ From the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin. NFC 782:356 From Co Kerry.
Furze or Gorse in Ancient Traditions
Like many other Irish wildflowers, the yellow furze of my homeland features significantly in ancient mythology and legendary lore.
In the past, a small sprig of furze was added to bridal bouquets, but like many old traditions there were rules associated with its use.
Only the bride herself could cut the furze for her floral arrangement. It was considered extremely unlucky to receive or give this prickly plant as a gift, because we as humans do not own these golden blooms.
Property Of The Faeries
And so whom, you may ask, holds sway over these thorny bushes?
Of course, being Ireland, the magical owners of these prolific plants are none other than the faerie folk.
Furze bushes, like all other thorny bushes in Ireland such as hawthorn and white thorn, belong to the Sidhe, and often guard their portals to magical realms.
Judging by the amount of gorse growing throughout Ireland, it is one magical land indeed.
An Ancient Gold Catcher
Gorse was used in ancient times for collecting gold. By lining the bed of a stream with furze plants our predecessors would capture gold dust flowing on the currents.
I believe gorse grows in California too, so I wonder if any prospectors used this ancient Irish technique at the time of the Gold Rush.
Bealtaine Fires
Bealtaine is the ancient Celtic feast celebrated on May Day. Gorse was considered a sacred wood and because of its high oil content may have been used to start the Bealtaine fires.
The Celtic god of light, Lugh, is linked to the furze bush, probably because of the golden glow of its vibrant yellow flowers.
Medicinal Plant
Like many of Ireland's edible wildflowers herbalists of years gone by used these plants for many medicinal purposes.
Children suffering from scarlet fever drank an infusion of the flowers.
Seeds were considered a treatment for diarrhea.
Bad breath was treated by mixing the blossoms with honey and using it as a mouthwash,.
And flower petals were strewn about on the earthen floors of cottages since they were thought to be a flea repellant.
And so there you have it ... my little roundup of facts and magical lore surrounding these glorious golden blooms of Ireland's landscape.
If you know any other tales or names for this native Irish plant, please let us know in the comment section below.
And for those planning a trip to Ireland this summer, I hope you'll smile when you admire the Irish hills swathed in yellow blossoms.
You can say to yourself, 'I know all about this furze, or gorse, or whins, or broom, or whatever on earth this magical plant is called in this neck of the woods.'
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Here are some more recipes and ramblings you might enjoy...
Patricia
Mairead, thank you for the information as well as the close up photos of what I knew as gorse!
I have included it in some of my paintings, but always from a distance (as in the third to last photo you included) and always wondered what it looked like close up. Mystery solved!
Irish American Mom
Patricia - Yellow gorse must be a beautiful addition to your paintings - it really is a spectacular part of Ireland's scenery. I'm glad my close-up shot of furze blossoms solved your wonderings about what they look like.
All the best,
Mairéad
T.M.Johnson
Mairead, there's just no end to your post inspirations. In my reading I'm sure I've run across references to "gorse"; the word sounds so familiar. "Furze"...never heard the term. Gorse most certainly has been the horticultural efforts of the leprechauns, don't you think? The Johnny Appleseeds of the golden glow. Here in the Pacific NW, come springtime, we have a shrub called Scotch Broom. It proliferates on freeway right-of-ways and highway shoulders, is considered an invasive, noxious plant. The blossoms look akin to the locust family or lupine-like.
As a lifelong beekeeper, I'm always interested in nectar producing plants. None of your photos show bees, native, or A. mellifera, on any of the blossoms. Do honeybees visit furzy gorse? And just what is the status of honeybees in Ireland? I've heard that true mead can only be made from heather honey. Thanks for your sharing of Irish flora, its folklore. The photos are wonderful. TMJ
Irish American Mom
Hi T.M. - I like your suggestion that leprechauns are the Johnny Appleseeds of the Golden Glow. I'm not a honey expert, but I believe bees do love gorse flowers as a source of nectar. I didn't capture a bee on a gorse flower in one of my photos, but I have often seen them hovering around these yellow blooms. I never knew true mead requires heather honey - nice to know.
Take care, and I hope your bees will produce lots of honey this year.
Mairéad
Cheryl Barker
Mairéad, I love wildflowers. How gorgeous the hills must look covered in these. Loved hearing about the bridal bouquet tradition 🙂
Irish American Mom
Hi Cheryl - I love the story behind this old Irish bridal tradition too. I didn't put a sprig of furze into my bouquet when I got married in Dublin many years ago - I had not heard of this old tradition back then. But maybe in years to come, my little girl will add a few blossoms to her wedding flowers
Take care,
Mairéad
Susie O. Towne
Hi, Mairead! (sorry no fada...I don't seem to be able to accomplish that with my keyboard as I write to you.)
I have just discovered your blog! How nice to be able to read your memories and learn from your thoughts of Ireland. I have tried to learn so much about my Family and Irish roots for decades now, so it is fun to read your easy writing. My Dad, God rest him, was born and raised in Cobh in Co. Cork and given that it was quite a tumultuous time when he came to America (1919), his memories were taken up, to a great degree, with the Black and Tans and living pretty close to the bone. But my Dad instilled in me a great love and appreciation for the Irish blood within me! I am truly so very grateful, as you, to be Irish and American! Thank you again for sharing your Irishness!
God bless you,
Susie O. Towne
Irish American Mom
Hi Susie - Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my recipes and ramblings. It's lovely to hear that your father passed his love of Ireland and all things Irish on to you. The first decades of the 20th century were tumultuous times in Ireland. Many left Ireland for America, grew to love their adopted homeland, but always kept Ireland in their hearts.
All the best, and do stop by whenever you have a chance.
Mairéad
May Jordan Toomey
First time I read your blog, enjoyed it & brought back a lot of memories. I was born in Ireland & immigrated to America @ age 17. In Co.Longyford that bush was called a Whin. It grew & bloomed everywhere.
I remember reading somewhere, that back in the 18th century someone brought a whin root from Ireland to Oregon. It took off & spread everywhere. In them days most of the homes & buildings were built of wood. One summer happened to be very hot & dry. A lightening strike on a whin started a fire that resulted in a whole town or city burned down. After that 'the whin'' was barred from this country.
Thanks for sharing the history of the ''whin''
Irish American Mom
Hi May - In Donegal, my husband's home county, the furze is also called a "whin". Thanks so much for letting us know about Oregon's fiery introduction to the whin. Ireland suffers from a fair share of gorse fires each and every summer. If the Irish summer weather was warmer, the countryside would be like a tinder box. Here's hoping this summer will be a safe one.
Thanks so much for checking out my recipes and ramblings. Welcome to my little corner of the world wide web. It's lovely to hear from readers who enjoy my stories, and it's wonderful to know my ramblings bring back fond memories for you too.
Please do stop by whenever you have a chance and join our conversation on all things Irish and Irish American.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sheila
Thank you for this article Mairead. I've done internet searches before to try to find flowers and such native to Ireland to see if there would be any I could grow at my house. I was intrigued by the mention of gorse flower wine. I went on-line to see if there were any sites that sold such wine. Unfortunately I only found recipes of how to make it. Would you happen to know of anyone that sells it? I would love to taste it.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sheila - I wish I knew of a source for gorse flower wine. It's probably available in some small specialty shops in Ireland, but ones that don't have an internet presence. If I ever hear tell of it being for sale somewhere, I'll be sure to let you know.
All the best,
Mairéad
Eric Eadbhard Mottau
Gorse grows in abundance on the southern oregon coast. It was brought to Bandon, Oregon by settlers from County Cork and due to the lack of natural predators it grows rampant. The town has twice burnt down because of it. It is a significant part of my childhood there.
Slán,
Eric Eadbhárd
Irish American Mom
Hi Eric - I never knew there was gorse growing anywhere in America. Thanks for sharing this little fact about Oregon. With a name like Bandon, that Oregon town could only have been founded by settlers from County Cork.
Best wishes and thanks for stopping by.
Mairéad
Ruchir
Loved it! Thanks
Irish American Mom
Thanks for checking out this post.
All the best,
Mairéad
Bob Percy
Hello Mairéad,
Thanks for this great article! I was impressed by these plants when I visited Ireland in 2015, and you helped me recall their name (I'd heard the term 'gorse' back then). Your info about the uses and the history are fascinating!
Irish American Mom
Hi Bob - I'm glad this article helped you recall the name of Ireland's yellow flowers which brighten the landscape so beautifully. Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out my blog.
All the best,
Mairéad
Gene
Mairéad,
From the dates on these comments, you must have run this feature several times. I'm glad I caught it this time. As I've mentioned before, I was taken by the many shades of green from the air and the many textures on the ground … but no flower fields.
We spent three weeks making a southern swing from Galway around to Dublin. With the exception of pots and gardens, no flower fields. Must have been the late summer timing.
Irish American Mom
Hi Gene - Fields of yellow flowers are usually seen around April in Ireland, when the rape seed is in bloom. It is a crop grown to create oil that is similar to canola oil. I'm glad you got to check out this post about furze. Each week I'll try to share a few links from the past. As more and more people subscribe to my blog, it's good to share some ramblings they have missed in years gone by.
Many thanks for all your support and for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Gene
Thanks so much for the reply. Yes, our trips have mostly been in September. The most lovely times ever ... beautiful country and people,
Just missed the flowers and the rain.
Irish American Mom
You did well to miss the rain - that is quite an achievement for any tourist to Ireland. 🙂
Ernie Dowd
Mai'read, Reading about Gorse (as I know it) reminded me of of my 1st trips"home" I stayed with my uncle John and Aunt Annie... I had only met John 1 time and this was my 1st meeting Aunt Annie... John took me to town, 1st a 5 mile bike ride to Ballyconneely then the bus to Clifden. we stopped at Tommy Manions meat market for lamb dinner... he sent us to his brothers pub next door.. that brought us to the next pub and the next and the next..we we barely made the last bus back to Ballyconneely... then of course "one for the road" at Keoghs... then the 5 miles back home in the dark on the bikesI think we both rolled into the gorse multiple time.. Aunt Annie was not at all impressed with her nephew and husband showing up ripped and torn and scratched up and a bit under the weather ..she sent me right to bed... Uncle John got a tongue lashing but we both had a great day! We both enjoyed telling that story multiple time and Aunt Annie enjoyed it as well (after a few days ) Yes Gorse and I have had a very close relationship over the years!
Irish American Mom
Hi Ernie - Your wonderful tale of your gorse encounters with your uncle in Galway made me laugh. It sounds like you had "one or two for the side of the road" that night. I can just hear Aunt Annie's Irish tongue lashing in my imagination. Irish women are very good at letting off a little steam, especaially when they've been a little worried about those they love. Thanks so much for checking out this post about furze, or gorse, or whin bushes as my husband likes to call them.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kathleen Miller
Very interesting! When I was there in May I saw it all over! The guide explained it was gorse. Your articles mean so much more to me now that I’ve been to Ireland.Can’t wait to go back!
Irish American Mom
Hi Kathleen - I hope you make it back to Ireland someday soon. Once you go, Ireland will keep calling you home.
All the best,
Mairéad