SHADED TUNNEL OF INTERLOCKING YEW TREES
Maynooth University, unusually for a university, has its own cemetery known as St. Patrick's Cemetery. The cemetery has a number of features characteristic of 19th-century Irish cemeteries, most notably the shaded tunnel of interlocking yew trees at its entrance.
Yew trees are associated with cemeteries for a variety of reasons, both symbolic and practical:
Symbolic reasons:
Longevity and endurance: Yews are known for their exceptional lifespan, with some specimens estimated to be over 2,000 years old. This longevity has led to them being seen as symbols of eternity, immortality, and the enduring nature of the soul.
Death and resurrection: The yew's ability to regenerate from its own branches, even when they touch the ground, has been interpreted as a symbol of death and resurrection, echoing themes found in many religious and spiritual traditions.
Connection to the underworld: In various mythologies, yew trees were associated with deities of the underworld and death, solidifying their symbolic link to cemeteries and burial grounds.
Practical reasons:
Poisonous nature: Yew trees are toxic to livestock. Planting them in cemeteries helped deter animals from wandering into the burial grounds and disturbing the graves.
Other factors:
Christian symbolism: The yew's red berries and evergreen foliage were seen as representing the blood and eternal life of Christ, further strengthening its association with Christian burial practices.
The association between yew trees and cemeteries is a complex tapestry woven from symbolism, practicality, and cultural traditions.
In the 1790s, Maynooth College (now Maynooth University) faced challenges finding teaching and administrative staff. Fortunately, émigré priests fleeing the French Revolution, both French and Irish with strong French cultural ties, provided a solution. As a result, the college initially had a distinct French influence.
The passage of time brought inevitable change. St. Patrick's Cemetery, located just beyond the Junior Garden, offers a glimpse into this history, with the first burial taking place in 1817.
Among the earlier staff, Nicholas Callan, Professor of Natural Philosophy (Mathematics and Physics) from 1826 to 1864, stands out. He was a pioneer of applied electricity, patenting an improved battery and a process for galvanising iron. Evidence suggests he also created the first working induction coil, though he did not patent it. The apparatus he built is housed in the College Museum, near the Junior Garden, and can be viewed upon request. The museum also contains a collection of Irish-made scientific instruments and ecclesiastical items.
Yew trees are associated with cemeteries for a variety of reasons, both symbolic and practical:
Symbolic reasons:
Longevity and endurance: Yews are known for their exceptional lifespan, with some specimens estimated to be over 2,000 years old. This longevity has led to them being seen as symbols of eternity, immortality, and the enduring nature of the soul.
Death and resurrection: The yew's ability to regenerate from its own branches, even when they touch the ground, has been interpreted as a symbol of death and resurrection, echoing themes found in many religious and spiritual traditions.
Connection to the underworld: In various mythologies, yew trees were associated with deities of the underworld and death, solidifying their symbolic link to cemeteries and burial grounds.
Practical reasons:
Poisonous nature: Yew trees are toxic to livestock. Planting them in cemeteries helped deter animals from wandering into the burial grounds and disturbing the graves.
Other factors:
Christian symbolism: The yew's red berries and evergreen foliage were seen as representing the blood and eternal life of Christ, further strengthening its association with Christian burial practices.
The association between yew trees and cemeteries is a complex tapestry woven from symbolism, practicality, and cultural traditions.
In the 1790s, Maynooth College (now Maynooth University) faced challenges finding teaching and administrative staff. Fortunately, émigré priests fleeing the French Revolution, both French and Irish with strong French cultural ties, provided a solution. As a result, the college initially had a distinct French influence.
The passage of time brought inevitable change. St. Patrick's Cemetery, located just beyond the Junior Garden, offers a glimpse into this history, with the first burial taking place in 1817.
Among the earlier staff, Nicholas Callan, Professor of Natural Philosophy (Mathematics and Physics) from 1826 to 1864, stands out. He was a pioneer of applied electricity, patenting an improved battery and a process for galvanising iron. Evidence suggests he also created the first working induction coil, though he did not patent it. The apparatus he built is housed in the College Museum, near the Junior Garden, and can be viewed upon request. The museum also contains a collection of Irish-made scientific instruments and ecclesiastical items.
SHADED TUNNEL OF INTERLOCKING YEW TREES