THE CORK OAK TREE Quercus Suber native to Southern Europe is extensively grown across the Mediterranean for use as cork wine stoppers, with Portugal being the largest producer. Its life expectancy is between 300 – 400 years. This specimen is thought to be 100 years old. Quercus Suber can be found dotted across the milder areas of Ireland and the British Isles.
THE OGHAM STONES southwest of the Manor, amongst the trees, were “imported” from Kerry by Edwin, the third Earl. Three of them came from the town land of Kilbonane, near Killarney, where two had been found inserted in a farmhouse wall. A group of five are close together. The latest one is over two metres high and another one, split into two parts, is lying on the ground. Ogham stones date from the early fifth century to the middle of the seventh century. They are mainly Christian in context and are usually associated with old churches or early Christian burial sites. Ogham inscriptions are in an early form of Gaelic, which is frequently followed by Latin inscriptions written in Roman characters. These inscriptions are mainly commemorative. That of a father and ancestor often succeeds the name of the person commemorated and many are inscribed with crosses. Letters are represented by lines and notches, from one to five in number and marked across, or on either side of a stern line. There are five main groups of letters and one, or more of a standing stone’s corners can be used as a stern line. More Ogham stones can also be found on the Isle of Man, Wales, Cornwall and southern Britain.
