Roots that run deep in our culture

Donal Hickey on the role of trees in Irish history.

EVER wondered why people say “touch wood” to ward off bad luck? The answer is that the Celts worshipped trees, and believed they could turn away evil spirits by touching the wood of the tree (just one example of how wood in all its manifestations is so much part of our lives).

Apart from its beauty, not to mention its practical, everyday uses, wood is ingrained in our culture. Think of all the songs, tunes, and poems that have wood as their theme. The haunting ballad, Avondale, is a tribute to our tree-clad parklands.