A system for learning the old Irish alphabet using native trees forms the basis of a new landscaping scheme to be opened next week at the Institute of Technology in Sligo. For centuries the Irish alphabet was taught using the names of trees to represent each of the 18 letters. The list varied from teacher to teacher, but the one being used at the college is that of Canon Andrew Donlevy, a native of Ballymote who later became head of the Irish College in Paris.
A total of 8,000 trees and shrubs are being planted, and the scheme also incorporates 18 limestone seats, each incised with a different letter and located beside the associated trees. The script, based on manuscript forms, is taken from a 1742 publication, Teagusc Chriostaidth e, by Canon Dunlevy.
The trees and seats are located along a walkway beside a stream running through the college grounds. A new footbridge has also been built. Some species included are Alder/Fearn representing the letter F and Yew or Iodha representing I.
Brochures explaining the scheme have been translated into 21 languages, representing the nationalities of students at the institute during the millennium year.
The idea for the scheme came from the director of the institute, Dr Breandan MacConamhna, a collector of antiquarian books in the Irish language. The opening of the project will mark the end of his 21 years as director as he is retiring on June 1st.
He said the trees would not reach their peak for 50 years. "But sometimes you have to plan for the future," he said. Part of the reason for the project was Sligo's Irish-language heritage. A number of important anthologies, including The Book of Ballymote, were written in the county.
During his time as director, the institute's library has built up a collection of ancient and modern Irish texts. It also has reproductions, including the Books of Kells. Details can be found on the institute's website www.itsligo.ie
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