One of the most amazing trees I have ever encountered, growing in the centre of the Muckross Abbey ruins, in the heart of the Killarney National Park.
It is a 20 minute walk through the trees and parkland from the main road entrance to reach the Abbey. Another Yew guards the entrance to the Abbey – just a youngster Enter in through the outer, more ruinous parts, duck in through the vaulted cloisters, and suddenly you are ‘in the presence’. I seem to recall that we had tears in our eyes.
I have never before seen a Yew with such a tight, twisted trunk. For me, its a sign of the spiral earth energy which the tree is responding to in its growth.
I have been back a couple of times since, not yet in good photographic light – but the light from this place and this tree touches me deeply.
Further Links:
https://www.killarneynationalpark.ie/visit-us/muckross-abbey/