By Eanna Dowling

FELLING of mature diseased trees is ongoing in the College Gardens Youghal following a detailed survey that revealed some of the trees to be dangerous. Some of the beech trees were found to be riddled with a fungal infection and felling is currently underway. The survey took place late in September and removal action commenced shortly afterwards. In total, 11 mature trees will be felled and 6 more are subject to further internal and aerial investigations. 7 trees require remedial action, pollarding, thinning or the removal of dead wood.

These actions will occur in 2009 and the issue of replanting will be addressed at that stage. Preliminary discussions have already taken place about the species mix for replanting, but final decisions have yet to be taken.Some of the sections taken from 10 meters above ground level showed the fungal infection in an advanced state and the danger to public safety and the town walls was apparent.
Of the four Lime trees surveyed, two had major cavities at ground level. One was felled and the other will be pollarded. An Evergreen Oak in the churchyard standing at over 50 feet tall will be reduced in size by 20% and reshaped.
An adjacent Sweet Chestnut, which stands at the Myrtle Grove side of the churchyard, was deemed to be in good condition and remains standing. The tree expert, Mr Bill Blyth, an arborist with Dermot Casey Tree Care, found evidence of previous pollarding which may have contributed to its continuing good condition. A second Sweet Chestnut in the grounds of St Mary’s College was also found to be in good condition but a recommendation was made to remove major dead wood from it.
Three beech trees and one sycamore standing by the Town Walls were deemed to be in poor condition and felled.

Town Clerk Liam Ryan informed the Council of the actions at the monthly meeting on Monday last. Mr Ryan reported: “In view of the urgent nature of the works and the threat to public safety and the imminent danger of extensive damage to the historic town walls it was decided to immediately proceed with the felling of 11 trees.” Although nobody likes to see mature trees felled, the Town Council are to be commended on their prompt action, which may have saved lives, prevented serious damage and certainly saved costs in the long term.
A windbreak of alien leilandii trees was removed from the Gardens a number of years ago. The Council employed Frankie Keane and did a tremendous job in reclaiming parts of the garden, which had become seriously overgrown. Plans are advanced to convert the space into a medieval garden and to restore the adjoining town walls, some of which have fallen into disrepair. Amongst other events, the Gardens of St Mary’s College hosted this year’s Medieval Fun Day, one of the highlight’s of Youghal’s summer.
St Mary’s Church remains in active use by the Church of Ireland community and is also the scene of classical music concerts and is a popular destination for tourists coming to savour Youghal’s intriguing history.