Today I'm delighted to share our monthly Irish tree planting giveaway. For October we're celebrating the Celtic festival of Samhain or Halloween, and the good folks at Irishtrees.ie have graciously sponsored another tree planting giveaway for one lucky reader to win.
Last month we explored the fascinating history of ancient Irish trees, and this month we celebrated how the Irish invented Halloween in our guest posts from Bob Hamilton at Irish Trees.
But before I share the details of our October tree giveaway, lets first explore the significance of trees for the ancient Celts at Halloween.
Table of Contents
Rowan Trees and the Ancient Celts
Trees were important to the ancient Celts and in the autumn months they harvested rowan berries.
They believed these berries could impart protection from evil spirits. Plus they were said to endow good health on those who ate them.
The Celts planted rowan trees near graves. They believed these trees provided shelter and would help the dead to sleep.
They created dowsing rods from rowan branches, and when Christianity came to Ireland they created crosses from rowan twigs to ward off evil spirits.
Hazle Trees in Autumn
Hazel trees were also considered sacred by the ancient Celts. These trees were prized for their nuts and branches.
Hazlenuts were used to foretell romance and divine the future at Halloween.
Necklaces of hazlenuts were often worn for protection by the Celts. Strands of these nuts were hung in homes to bring good luck to those who dwelled in the house.
Young Celtic women often carried hazlenuts to help protect and promote their fertility over the coming year..
Elder Trees at Halloween
The elder tree is another woody plant the Celts believed had the ability to ward off witches and evil spirits. Branches of the elder tree were hung over doors to offer protection on All Hallows’ Eve.
The Celts lit bonfires to celebrate Samhain, but they never burned the wood of an elder tree in their fires. They feared this practice might invite death or malevolent spirits.
It was deemed unlucky to cut down an elder tree, which was prized for the medicinal properties of its flowers and berries.
In Ireland in days gone by, cradles were often built from elder wood. These trees were also planted around meadows where cattle would graze to help shield them.
An elder tree was often planted near homes to help protect them from lightening.
Musical instruments made with the wood of an elder were said to be magical and mystical, and were even believed to have the power to summon the spirits.
In Scotland, another Celtic nation, it was believed that if you stood under an elder tree on All Hallow's Eve or Halloween, you could witness the fairies on their merry way.
These three trees, the rowan, elder and hazel, were associated with the holiday of Halloween.
I hope linking them to this time of year will help make your Halloween a little richer.
Why not join in our tree planting giveaway to celebrate your Irish heritage and the importance of these seasonal plants and trees in our ancient Celtic traditons?
September Tree Planting Winner
In September one lucky reader, Stephanie won a commemorative tree planting in Ireland.
A native Irish oak tree was planted in her honor and she received a beautiful certificate to mark the occasion.
Here's a little feedback from Stephanie about the experience:
"I am thrilled to be the winner of the tree planting competition. My paternal grandmother's grandparents came from Ireland, arriving in the U.S. in the late 1840s. So I am happy to have a bit of Ireland back in the family as I am very interested in history, and quite pleased at the thought that the Irish Oak might live for 400 years!!
In fact, I would like to dedicate the tree to my Irish ancestors, the McCourts and the Foleys. I am so pleased to have it and will soon have it framed for my home office. Thank you again for providing this opportunity!"
Irish Tree Planting October Giveaway
Once again we are offering a reader of Irish American Mom the chance to win a commemorative tree planting in Ireland.
All you have to do to enter is finish this sentence.
"The planting of an Oak tree in Ireland is a lovely gift at Halloween because......."
You can add your comment below. You can check out the terms and conditions for giveaways on this page here.
All entries received by the closing date will be in the draw and will be randomly picked.
The draw will take place on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 and the winner will be announced at the end of this blog post.
The winner will be notified and will be introduced to Bob Hamilton, Owner of www.irishtrees.ie to arrange their personal Irish Oak Tree Planting and Certificate.
Please check out www.irishtrees.ie or for Memorial trees check out www.irishurns.com
IrishTrees.ie offer tree planting and dedication for every conceivable occasion from the birth of a child to 100th birthdays, just ask.
Thanks for supporting this little giveaway.
Update Winner Chosen
Our winner has been randomly chosen using the Pick Giveaway Winner Plug-in for WordPress.
And the lucky reader is ….
Marilyn
I’ll send an email to arrange mailing of her prize. A big thank you to everyone for supporting this giveaway by leaving comments.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every comment.
Additional Tree Planting Commemorations This Week
This week two readers of Irish American Mom shared their great losses with us through the comments on this post.
Bob Hamilton of Irish Trees has graciously offered two additional tree plantings to help commemorate loved ones lost .
Kathleen Falls' grandmother, who passed away last week will be remembered through the planting of an oak tree in Ireland.
Kathy Hall's friend Corene McGovern will also be remembered by planting a tree in Ireland in her memory.
I will contact both of these ladies to let them know.
Many thanks to Bob for his generosity and to everyone who shared such personal, and poignant stories about those they hold dear.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Kathleen Falls
The planting of an Oak tree in Ireland is a lovely gift at Halloween because planting trees in the name of a loved one means their family member can remember them in all they did in their life. My grandmother passed away early this morning in her sleep. I can rest assure she is in a better place. A tree planted in her honor would be a way to celebrate her, and for generations to come, including her great-grandchildren (my children), who are half-Irish and half-Filipino. They can be proud a tree is there to honor her.
Irish American Mom
Hi Kathleen - I'm so sorry to hear you lost your grandmother just today. Please accept my condolences. May she rest in peace!
A tree planting in Ireland would be a perfect way to remember her and celebrate her life and memory.
Many thanks for sharing your family's story and loss with us. May the prayers of this Irish American community be with you and your family.
With deepest sympathy,
Mairéad
Mary Power
Kathleen, my sincere condolences as that passing of your grandmother. What a touching tribute it would be to plant a tree in her honor.
God bless you and your family.
Judy Lujan
The oak represents wisdom, longevity and rebirth. It is a promise of strength to come.
When my daughter was a little girl, she used to love finding acorns and would stuff her pockets full of them. Pretty rocks, too. She left us in 2008 to join the ancestors in the spirit world. We scattered her ashes on a mountainside with many oak trees. I wish her next life to be long and happy. And if she's anything like she was in this life, she will be wise as well.
I can't imagine a better wish for anyone and a gift of an oak tree wordlessly makes that wish.
Irish American Mom
Hi Judy - Thank you for sharing the story of your daughter's beautiful legacy and spiritual connection with the mighty oak. I'm so sorry to learn that she left this world so soon, but as you say, she is with her ancestors in the spirit world. Planting an oak tree in Ireland would be a wonderful way to celebrate her life and memory. Many thanks for remembering her here in our Irish American coummunity. May she walk with those who have gone before us, amongst the oak trees of heaven.
All the best,
Mairéad
Joan
Planting a tree would be such a memorable thing for family members.
Joan
Irish American Mom
Hi Joan - I think planting a tree in Ireland is a wonderful way to celebrate our Irish heritage. Many thanks for stopping by to support this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
kathy hall
"The planting of an Oak tree in Ireland is a lovely gift at Halloween because....... it would honor my cherished childhood friend, Corene McGovern who passed at the end of July, 2020. Our friendship brought me such gladness and joy over the fifty-two years I knew her. We met
at the age of five. We last were together in 2015 for a girlfriend getaway. I sensed an insecurity in her, and made an entry in my journal noting, “Corene builds up those around her yet doesn’t seem to value her own self.” Her generosity to others was indeed selfless, and she spoke absolutely no admonishing words about anyone. She was a champion for her friends, and I was honored to be in that midst.
The global shutdown affected us all, and here in the USA my social butterfly of a friend was confined to her apartment without family and friends. Indeed she suffered from occasional depression and would come out of it by immersing herself in art, architecture, museums, road trips, and banter at a neighborhood gastropub. All of this was taken from humanity and she was so alone and hundreds of miles away from me.
Had I known her longtime boyfriend had broken off the relationship in January of 2020 I would have reached out. Had she confided in me I would have known the deep angst she was experiencing. Instead she kept it bottled inside as to “not be a burden” her note said. She left her last words written on a piece of paper and then descended the steps to her basement to take her own life. She was found lifeless and hanging, carefully clothed, and with a drop cloth beneath her body, most likely concerned others would have too much of a mess to clean up.
She was integral to my childhood and I felt as though part of my heart was torn out. A happy memory was when she stood in front of our second grade classroom on St. Patrick’s day and sang “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” with all of the other school kids with Irish heritage. All those with “Mc” preceding the second part of their last names were up there, singing at the top of their lungs. I longed be of Irish heritage too, just so I could sing in front of the classroom with my friend. Years later I discovered I WAS of Irish heritage but a proud grandmother identified with being English and left that part out of our family’s genealogy. Discovering the truth of my ancestors added pride to my sense of self, and some lightness! Knowing that I had a precious friend named Corene McGovern, who was generous and kind to me, now makes my life a lighter place, even with her physical absence. I’d like to dedicate a tree to her, whose Irish eyes will always be smiling in my heart and soul. She used to climb trees and we would both adventure in the woods for hours. I know she is in a beautiful place as life never ends. It transforms. The tree would symbolize this everlasting life that never ends. It simply changes form.
Irish American Mom
Oh Kathy - I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. Corene has found peace and is smiling down upon you as you share the story of your wonderful friendship, her kindness, her selflessness and her Irish heart. A tree planted in her honor in Ireland would be a fitting tribute. May you find contentment and solace through the strength of these beautiful memories of the times you shared together.
With love and prayers,
Mairéad
kathy hall
Much gratitude to you Mairéad for this place to
express ourselves. I appreciate your kind reply.
Best regards,
Kathy
Irish American Mom
Hi Kathy - I'm so glad you find this to be a kind and welcoming community and a place to share from the heart.
Le gach dea-ghuí, (with every good wish)
Mairéad
Mary Power
The planting of an Oak tree in Ireland is a lovely gift at Halloween because it would be in honor of my grandparents who had the courage to move to Canada and then Boston, to raise their family. This family has grown to represent a true Irish-American family that never forgets our homeland.
Irish American Mom
Beautifully said, Mary. Lovely to hear your Irish American family still feels so connected to Ireland, the land of your ancestors.
Many thanks for stopping by.
Take care,
Mairéad
Jean Mac Coy
The planting of an Oak tree in Ireland is a lovely gift at Halloween because it is a wonderful way to honor my ancestors. My Irish-born grandfather (Fermanagh) planted two oak trees at my parents home in honor of our ancestors and this would not only be a continuation of a tradition but a way to remember and honor my grandfather.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jean - What a lovely thing for your grandfather to do, and a beautiful legacy growing at your parents home. An oak tree planted in Ireland would truly be a lovely way to honor your Irish grandfather.
Best wishes, and happy Halloween,
Mairéad
JUDITH L JAMISON
I would love to win this beautiful gift. But even more, if I won I would like to pass the prize to Kathleen Falls so it could be planted in honor of her grandma.
Irish American Mom
Thank you Judith. That is so generous of you.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Cindy
…trees are life. Nothing symbolizes our connection to the earth and each other better.
Phyllis Ferrel
Our beautiful earth is blessed with our trees. Our ancestors have left their footprints in so many ways, including life though our trees.
Irish American Mom
Hi Phyllis - I love to hear stories of how trees planted by our predecessors still stand today, creating an important link to the past and our heritage. I love the work that Irish Trees are doing to continue this legacy.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kelley
"The planting of an Oak tree in Ireland is a lovely gift at Halloween because Samhain is the start of the new year. It is a time to honour the family's ancestors and those that had passed.
The Tree has been found to represent physical and spiritual nourishment, transformation and liberation, union and fertility. ... They are seen as powerful symbols of growth and resurrection. In many of folk religions, trees are said to be homes of spirits.
With these two symbolizations it bring them together as one.
Irish American Mom
Hi Kelley - Your words are beautiful and truly capture the symbolism of planting an oak tree. Thank you for stopping by to support our giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Irish American Mom
Beautifully said, Cindy. Thank you for joining in our little discussion about trees.
All the best,
Mairéad
Áine B.
The planting of an Oak tree in Ireland is a lovely gift at Halloween because the mighty oak tree has long represented wisdom, strength and endurance. These attributes perfectly represent Éire.
Irish American Mom
Hi Áine - These attributes truly do describe the mighty oak, Ireland and the Irish. Thanks for stopping by to support our little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Cindy
Planting a tree in memory of my Irish Ancestors that were brave enough to come to a new country.
Irish American Mom
Hi Cindy - That is a wonderful way to remember your family and all that they have achieved.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Donna
Thank you for such interesting information. What a wonderful way to remember family.
Irish American Mom
Hi Donna - I'm so glad you found this article interesting. Trees were very important to the Celts, so planting trees is a fitting way to remember our Irish loved ones.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jane
The planting of an Oak tree in Ireland is a lovely gift at Halloween because of the Irish American connections to the earth, dreams & music makers!
Irish American Mom
Hi Jane - So true. Our Irish heritage lives on in America today. Planting an oak tree in Ireland could be a symbol of the strength of the Irish American community in the US.
Thank you for supporting our little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Barbara
Love hearing from you , Would love to win the Irish Tree planting giveaway . Happy Halloween.
Irish American Mom
Hi Barbara - Thanks for supporting our little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Cathleen
Thank you for this chance to win this lovely prize.
Irish American Mom
Best of luck in our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Marion
Such a beautiful memory to our loved ones.
Marion
Irish American Mom
Hi Marion - Trees truly are fitting memorials for our loved ones.
All the best,
Mairéad
Marilyn
This would be such a lovely and memorable tribute to those we lost. Marilyn
Irish American Mom
Very true, Marilyn. Thanks for stopping by this week.
Take care,
Mairéad
John Ongena
Great information and very interesting, thank you for sharing.
John Ongena
Irish American Mom
Hi John - I'm delighted you found this article to be of interest. Thanks for all your ongoing support of this little community and our giveaways.
All the best,
Mairéad
Karen B O'Brien
So you have us all thinking about trees again! I see the connection between your tree and our own family trees… it all comes back to our shared Irish roots!
For me it was my paternal grandmother who connects me to Ireland. I would love to win the commemorative tree planting.
Irish American Mom
Hi Karen - If we shine a little spotlight on trees we can hopefully make a small difference in the world. Every tree can play a role to help reduce carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Thanks for stopping by to check out this article, and for joining in our giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Lynn
Thank you for this information! I love your posts about the history and culture, especially. I didn't know how to post this without interfering with the giveaway, so now that it's past that time, I thought others might like to know of some books about nature. Two resources about this subject I've enjoyed, that others may also find interesting, are: Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World by John Philip Newell, and To Speak for the Trees: My Life's Journey from Ancient Celtic Wisdom to a Healing Vision of the Forest by Diana Beresford-Kroeger. I like both so much I have the printed and audible versions of them.
Irish American Mom
Hi Lynn - Thank you so much for these wonderful book recommendations. There is great wisdom to be found in the Celtic world. Thanks for sharing.
All the best,
Mairéad