Who was it that cut down a fairy tree in County Donegal?
A whitethorn tree located between Ballintra and Rossnowlagh has been severed from its roots but so far there is no evidence of vengeance from the fairies. The tree came under threat when Donegal County Council decided to widen the road. Following local outcry over the plans to cut down the tree, the council changed their plans to reroute the road.
The old whitehorn tree still lies where it was cut as no one is willing to haul it off for firewood. Many believe that the act of vandalism was carried out by youths as an act of bravado, to demonstrate no fear of the fairies and what could happen as a result of felling the tree.
The fact that old tree was still standing was a challenge to the young manhood of the area and many a local lad was tempted to have a go at cutting it down out of sheer bravado.
Philip Deary was challenged to cut the fairy tree. He took up the challenge to prove that he was not scared of fairies. After about five minutes of sawing the tree, the blade on his saw broke. Philip Deary then went to borrow a chainsaw to finish the job. However, the chainsaw was not working so Philip left the fairy tree alone and went home. He insists that he does not believe in fairies and that he did not cut down the tree. To this end, he has sent a statement to the local newspaper 'The Democrat' stating that he had no part in cutting down the tree. Despite his previous actions, he believes that it is a shame that the tree is now gone and says that whoever chopped it down is a coward.
I definitely don't believe in fairies or any of that.
Contractor Roy Greene refused to cut the tree down and none of his workers would do it either. He believes that a few local lads have taken it upon themselves to cause a nuisance and cut it down. The tree should have been left alone and local people are upset about it being felled.
Local man Dan believes this tree was part of a chain of about fourteen fairy trees. He fears for the consequences as the chain has now been broken.
Another local man named Joe has another fairy tree in his own garden. He recalls that after some branches were broken from his tree, a number of his farm animals died. He believes it is possible the two are related. Most people in the area would never touch a fairy tree for fear of what might happen.
The old tree wasn't harming anyone but someone used an axe and a saw to chop it down.
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 3 June 1969. The reporter is Cathal O'Shannon.
