Do you know the names of these 10 common trees in Irish?

Jot down your answers and then check them by watching the video above.

1. Oak

2. Birch

3. Ash

4. Hazel

5. Yew

6. Scots Pine

7. Rowan/Mountain Ash

8. Holly

9. Whitethorn/Hawthorn

10. Horse Chestnut Tree

Read on for more information about each of these trees.

1. Oak | Dair

The mighty oak is one of the 26 or so native Irish trees (i.e. a tree which evolved in Ireland, or arrived here by natural means, e.g. with the wind/birds/animals). As one of Ireland’s native trees — like oak, hazel, and birch —  it arrived just after the last Ice Age, around the same time as the first humans, making it a witness to over 10,000 years of Irish history.

Given that the oak has been in Ireland around as long as humans have lived here the Irish word for oak, dair, appears in countless placenames all over the island, e.g. Kildare (Cill Dara – the Church of the Oak), Derrynane (Doire Fhionáin – Fionán’s Oak Grove), and Ballinderreen (Baile an Doirín – the town of the small oak woods). Not forgetting of course the name of one of the largest cities in the north of Ireland: Derry ( Doire – the oak woods)

2. Birch | Beith

The birch is another native Irish tree, one of the first to emerge after the Ice Age. In Irish tradition, it is associated with renewal and new beginnings. The word beith appears in placenames like Glenbeigh (Gleann Beithe – Glen of the Birch) in Kerry; and Beagh in South County Galway (Beitheach – place of birch trees). Its pale bark and rapid growth make it a symbol of light and transformation.

3. Ash | Fuinseog

The ash tree (fuinseog) has always been central to Irish culture as it is the traditional wood used to make hurls (hurleys) — used in the sport of hurling. Its combination of strength, lightness, and flexibility makes ash perfect for crafting the hurl.

However, the ash tree is now under serious threat from ash dieback disease, a fungal infection that weakens and often kills ash trees across Ireland and Europe. This disease poses a major dúshlán / challenge for Irish woodlands and for the future supply of quality wood for hurling sticks, impacting both nature and tradition.

4. Hazel | Coll

The hazel tree (coll) holds a special place in Irish culture and mythology as a symbol of wisdom, inspiration, and knowledge. This is reflected in the famous Irish myth An Bradán Feasa / The Salmon of Knowledge. It is from eating magical hazel nuts that the salmon becomes the salmon of knowledge! Hazel groves were also considered sacred spaces for druids and early Irish communities. The hazel is also one of the native trees of Ireland.

5. Yew | Iúr

The yew tree (iúr) is another of Ireland's native trees and is often associated with longevity, death, and the afterlife due to its long lifespan and evergreen nature. Traditionally found in old churchyards and sacred sites, the yew symbolizes eternal life and spiritual resilience in Irish culture. An alternative word in Irish for the Yew is 'Eo' — which explains the meaning behind the placename Mayo (Maigh Eo — the plain of the yew trees)!

The Irish for the town of Newry is 'an tIúr' — the yew tree.

6. Scots Pine | Péine Albanach

The Scots pine (péine Albanach) is Ireland’s only native pine species, with pollen evidence showing it has been part of the landscape since the end of the last Ice Age. Though much reduced today, it once formed extensive forests, especially in upland areas like the Killarney National Park and the Wicklow Mountains. The iconic Pine Island in Connemara is a much photographed island of Scots Pine trees.

7. Rowan | Caorthann

Another of the native trees, the caorthann, or mountain ash (rowan), holds a special place in Irish folklore as a tree of protection and magic, often planted near homes to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. Known for its clusters of bright red berries and delicate leaves, the rowan was considered a guardian tree, linked to fairies and ancient rituals. It is to be found in some placenames, e.g. the townland of Keernaun (Caorthannán) in Co. Galway.

8. Holly | Cuileann

The cuileann, or holly tree, is another of the native trees and is deeply rooted (excuse the pun ;-) ) in Irish tradition, symbolizing protection, eternal life, and the coming of winter. Its glossy, spiky leaves and bright red berries make it a striking feature of the Irish landscape, especially in winter. It appears in many placenames, notably the town of Moycullen (Maigh Cuilinn — the plain of the holly) in Co. Galway.

9. Whitethorn | Sceach Gheal

The whitethorn (sceach gheal), also known as hawthorn, is a cherished tree in Irish folklore, often regarded as a fairy tree and a symbol of protection and magic. Its delicate white blossoms herald the arrival of spring, and it was traditionally avoided in farming to respect the fairy spirits believed to dwell within. The word 'sceach' (bush) appears in many placenames, including Skehanagh (Sceathánach — a bushy place) in south County Galway.

10. Horse Chestnut Tree | Crann Cnó Capaill

Although the beautiful horse chestnut tree is now found all over Ireland it is not one of the native trees, and was only introduced relatively recently. It was introduced from the Balkans and central Europe in the 18th century, mostly planted as an ornamental tree in parks, gardens, and along avenues. For this reason it does not commonly appear in traditional Irish placenames, as it arrived relatively recently compared to native species. 

How to learn Irish

Learning the Irish words connected to nature (e.g. birds, flowers, trees) is a great way to start to 'decode' many of the Irish placenames. This is a very enjoyable way to build up your vocabulary and also to start to learn how to pronounce the different sounds of Irish. If you want to learn Irish in a systematic way, however, it's best to start with a strong foundation. The All About Irish Beginner Irish course is the best place to start in order to build a solid foundation for all future learning. All About Irish also offers courses for upper beginner and intermediate level learners, and preparatory courses for the Teastas Eorpach sa Ghaeilge (TEG) exams at A2 and B1 level. Read more about all of the courses on offer here.