Cherry Blossoms in Castleknock

A cherry blossom is a flower of many trees of genus Prunus (or Prunus subg. Cerasus). They are also known as Japanese cherry and Sakura. They generally refer to flowering cherry trees, not to cherry trees that produce fruit for eating.

With the beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom now in Castleknock, see photos below, and about to shed their blossoms in the next gust of wind, I am reminded that cherry blossom season is Japan’s traditional sign of spring and is celebrated throughout the country. The trees are in abundance everywhere and you would be hard pressed to find a green space in any Japanese city that doesn’t have some. Families and friends gather together in parks and gardens beneath the flowering trees to picnic and take photos of each other, even in night time. Cherry blossoms are the national flower and hold a very special appeal in Japanese culture as they stand for renewal and hope.

Now that Covid 19 restrictions are being eased gradually here in Ireland this time is now also a special period of renewal and hope for us all. We, in Castleknock Tidy Towns, hope we can soon all meet together again outdoors for our weekly Saturday morning clean ups and our Wednesday evening tidy ups.

Watch this space for full details in due course. In the meantime, enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend and especially enjoy the last few days of these beautiful blossoms in our neighbourhood.

(text and photos by Declan Mescall)