Famine Arboretum

The Famine Arboretum at Corkagh was designed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Irish famine. 


All of the young trees represent species indigenous to the continents to which the Irish emigrated.

Captain Cyril Harty managed Treemare Stud. John Harty rode San Michelle Eddie Harty rode Harlequinn and Highland Wedding at Olympics 1960 1964. Trained at Corkagh Clondalkin Dublin
Dudley Colley was the last member of the Finlay/Colley family to own Corkagh. 
 He was a keen racing driver and used this site as a race course.

In the 1960s and 70s, when Corkagh was known as Treemare Stud, the site was used as a show jumping ring. Many champion horses were trained here. The stud was managed by Captain Cyril Harty who's team won the Aga Khan in 1928.  His son Eddie rode two Corkagh trained horses to victory, Highland Wedding  in the Grand National of 1969 and Harlequinn at the 1960 Rome Olympics.  Another son John rode San Michelle at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and a third son, Cyril rode San Pedro who holds the record as one of the most successful Nations Cup horses ever.

Surrounded by mature trees the Arboretum is sheltered from the wind and makes an ideal spot to relax or picnic.  Its also my favourite spot for a game of 'hide and seek' with the grandkids.

Bluebells grow beneath the mature trees.

Lilac; Its fragrant flowers bloom briefly in May

Autumn at the Arboretum



While there is lots of new planting in the arboretum there are also some beautiful mature trees planted during the early 19th century including this Copper Beech.


Winter at the Arboretum

February sees Irises in bloom at the Arboretum

In March these lovely Snow Crocus can be spotted beneath a stately Copper Beech.

The  young Red Horse Chestnut is easily identified when its exotic looking flowers appear each May.    
Red Horse Chestnut is a cross between Horse Chestnut and Red Buckeye (a red flowering shrub native to the United States).

All photos copyright Nolene Dowdall

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