It’s wonderful to see the red berries on the holly tree at this time of year. Holly is one of Ireland’s 21 native trees. Known as ‘Cuileann’ in Irish and ‘Ilex aquifolium’ in Latin, it was prized in ancient times for protection and winter forage. In fact, I spoke to a farmer in these parts who still remembers gathering young holly leaves for cattle during a hard winter. Holly shows up Irish place names such as Kilcullen (‘Cill Chuillin’ – church or wood of the holly).
Holly
