Blackthorn Blossom

Blackthorn is the ubiquitous bush of hedgerows in Ireland. It is named for its black bark and long, sharp thorns which it produces in great numbers. It is a tenacious invader of the Burren's small fields, advancing one bush at a time inwards from the field edges, so that when you see a field that is being reclaimed by the wilderness you can actually see the gradually dimunition of height towards the centre. It has a bad reputation with the locals, however blackthorn produces the first blossoms of spring, in a profuse, but delicate and often brief show, before it ventures to put out its first leaves. I love it; I think of it as the wild cherry blossom of the Burren.

Ralph Doyle