Clonmel - Cluain meala - the meadow of honey, will be more so when a new arboretum with many bee-attracting trees planted, develops. It is the Richard Mulcahy Town Park, about 1,500 metres from the town centre. A handsome brochure shows an ambitious and well-chosen layout. There is a riverside terrace and meadow, fronting the main space of water meadow; there is the arboretum, the main feature of the upper park. And the list of trees is formidable in its variety: oak, beech, ash, lime, hornbeam, maple, elm, horse chestnut, Turkish hazel, tulip, nothofagus, plane and willow. Then a pinetum with pines of several varieties, fir, cedar and larch. "Drifts of bluebells and other wild flowers will be a feature of the woodlands." Paths are of golden crushed gravel with timber edging. There are also cycle tracks. A playground, or course, with climbing frames, swings and the rest.
The detail of the number of each species of trees is interesting. It is expected that the President, Mrs McAleese, will perform the opening ceremony in late April or early May, depending on her schedule, and will plant an oak, now the national tree, Dair Ghealach or sessile oak, while the Mayor of Clonmel will plant the Crann Caithne or strawberry tree, as the Arbutus unedo is known; a beauty and well suited to the area. The full list shows that there are some 13 varieties of Acer or maple going in, and of many other species five or six or seven. Of pines there are 10 varieties. A treasure of trees, some of which are already going in. They will be about eight feet on planting, so that the student of forestry or the citizen who simply enjoys the gifts of Nature will find much to attract from the start. Bird life and animal life in general will flourish. Are there still red squirrels there?
You may wish to sponsor a tree, for yourself or family: perhaps in memory of someone, for £150. There will be a temporary plaque, later a permanent metal plaque. Eight words. All details from Cliona Connolly, Clonmel Borough Council Offices, Clonmel. Richard Mulcahy's career in high office is known. He had strong family, personal and social connections with Clonmel and represented Tipperary South Riding from 1944 to 1959 and was president of Fine Gael. From 1922 he held several Ministerial offices. The brochure contains the words "Developed by Clonmel Corporation and Sponsored by The Richard Mulcahy Trust". Eleven acres in the park; bounded in the north by the Clonmel-Waterford Road, to the south by the River Suir.