St. Maelruans Tree is situated in the Priory Garden of St. Marys Tallaght. This ancient walnut tree which is associated with the monastery of St. Maelruan of Tallaght was struck by lightening in 1795 and divided in four parts, all of which re-rooted and still to this day produce a fine crop of walnuts which are not native to Ireland. Maelruan was a native of Munster and was educated in a monastery in Dairins, a tiny island, in the River Blackwater near Youghal. He came to Tamhlacht/ Talllaght in the 8th Century and founded a monastery here. He introduced very strict rules in his monastery which aimed to reform religious life in Ireland and its members became known as “Ceili De” or “Culdees” St. Maelruan is called a Bishop and soldier of Christ in the annals of Ulster, where his death is recorded under the year 792. In the Annals of the Four Masters, he is called Bishop. The Monks of Tallaght carried his rule to other parts of Ireland. Some outstanding manuscripts were produced by the monks in the Tallaght monastery which include The Martyrology of Tallaght which is in the Burgundian Library in Brussels. St. Maelruan died on the 7th of July, 792. May he pray this his Feast Day for the people of Tallaght and the Dominican Community who live to this day on the land hallowed by his teaching and faith.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 20:57:44 +0000
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