The Tree of Liberty

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by Joe Mc Dermott

 

The tree of liberty was planted in the town of Newport-Pratt, by a yeoman of the name of Gibbons who was convicted on the clearest testimony, but effected out of prison his escape, thus did Dr, John Benton, Protestant clergyman of the South Mayo Militia address the court martial of James Moore and Connell O'Donel at Castlebar in December 1800. In his defence James Moore O'Donel asserts that the Tree of Liberty was felled by my father, Sir Neal O'Donel. Both prosecution and defence refer to the tree of liberty and there are references to the planting of trees of liberty in Ballina and Castlebar.

Kevin Whelan goes on to point out that the United Irishmen had successfully adopted the Tree of Liberty as a populist cultural emblem. Its symbolism could link back to the May bush and the magic associated with it, the dawn of summer, the vibrancy of the colour green as the trees leaves unfurled, all factors fused into a potent cumulative symbol. There is no specific evidence of any one type of tree being favoured, one is not told what particular tree was planted in Newport on that fateful day in August 1798.

What is in your hand?

It is a branch.

Of what?

Of the tree of liberty.

Where did it first grow?

In America.

Where does it bloom?

In France.

Where did the seeds fall?

In Ireland

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