AN EVENT WILL be held later today in Cork to remember the 600 trees that were knocked down during Storm Ophelia.

“After Storm Ophelia, the most talked about thing in the community were the trees,” said local woman Liz Madden, who organised the event.

Madden herself isn’t an environmentalist, but had noticed the effect trees that had been “lost” in her area had on the community in Cork.

“Every community had trees blown over and the visibility of it had an impact on a lot of people – it’s so in your face.”

Liz Madden Liz Madden

The Cork Nature Network and the Cork Green Party will be taking part in the event which will involve talks from several speakers and family-oriented events.

Niamh O’Flynn will give the children games to play to educate them about trees; Gordon Reid will talk about how Irish fruit trees can be salvaged through planting seeds from fallen trees.

Gill Weyman of the Cork Nature Network will talk about the value of trees and the importance of reconnecting with nature.

Boreenmanna Road, Cork. Aoife Murphy Aoife Murphy

Madden told TheJournal.ie that she’s expecting between 30 and 40 people to attend the event, which will take place at 11am today at Marina Commercial Park in Ballintemple, where 27 trees were knocked down.

“I’m delighted with the response that 200 to 300 people are interested on Facebook.

There was a lot of media focus on trees after Storm Ophelia hit – everyone was tree-conscious.

“In a fast-paced life it gives people a chance to reconnect with nature. It shows the power of the tree – it’s a source of life.”
If attending, meet at the roundabout on the town end of Centre Park Road (by Albert Rd, The Boggy and the petrol station), then walk down the Marina, ending at the Pier in Blackrock. More on the Facebook page here.

Read: Storm Ophelia shook a blanket of apples out of a Tipperary cider orchard

Read: See the Ophelia warnings on TV on Sunday? That was Ireland’s emergency broadcasting system in action