Latin Quarter in Galway in County Galway, Connacht, Ireland — Irish West ((Éire) North Atlantic Ocean)

Hawthorn • Scheach Gheal • Crataegus Monogyna

Hawthorn • <lang=ga>Scheach Gheal</lang=ga> • <lang=la>Crataegus Monogyna</lang=la> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 7, 2025

1. Hawthorn • Scheach Gheal • Crataegus Monogyna Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Hawthorn, also known as Whitethorn or the May tree, is one of Ireland's most common native trees. Its thorny branches make it an ideal natural barrier to livestock and as such, has been planted in hedgerows for centuries.

It blooms from early May into June and is thus associated with the onset of summer. It features in many May time traditions in Ireland. The Hawthorn is steeped in folklore.

It is still widely held that interference with a lone Hawthorn brings bad luck as it is still believed by many to be the meeting place of the fairies. Hawthorn was classified as a Commoner of the Wood in Brehon law.
—————————————— Samhlaítear an sceach gheal le mí na Bealtaine agus tá sí ar cheann de na crainn dhúchasacha is coitianta in Éirinn. Tá craobhacha na sceiche deilgneach, rud a fhágann gur bacainn mhaith nádúrtha í ar bheostoc. Tá sí á cur a fhás i measc na bhfálta sa tír seo leis na céadta bliain.

Bláthaionn sí go luath i mí na Bealtaine agus i mí Mheithimh. Is é sin an fáth a samhlaítear le teacht an tsamhraidh í. Bíonn an sceach gheal in úsáid i ngnáthaimh na Bealtaine in Éirinn. Tá cuid mhór tagairtí don sceach gheal sa bhéaloideas.

Drochthuar is ea é cur isteach ar sceal gheal aonair, mar creidtear, fiú sa lá atá inniu ann, go mbíonn an slua sí ag cruinniú ann. Is leis an 'aithig fedo - tuathanaigh na coille' a bhain an sceach gheal san Fhéineachas.

Erected by Galway

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City Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 53° 16.185′ N, 9° 3.231′ W. Marker is in Galway, Connacht, in County Galway. It is in the Latin Quarter. It can be reached from Dominick Street Lower. Marker is on the Spanish Parade plaza, between the Spanish Arch and City Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Galway, Connacht H91 CX5P, Ireland. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

on the Atlantic Arc,

in Europe,

on the Island of Ireland,

on the Celtic Fringe,

in the European Union,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. John's Wort • Beathnua • Hypericum (here, next to this marker); Rosemary • Marós • Rosmarinus Officinalis (here, next to this marker); Mountain Ash • Caorthann • Sorbus Acuparia

Horticulture Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 7, 2025

2. Horticulture Markers

Spanish Arch in background

(here, next to this marker); Spanish Broom • Beallaí Spáinneach • Genista Hispanica (here, next to this marker); Oak • Dair • Quercus Rober (here, next to this marker); Lavender • Labhandar • Lavandula (here, next to this marker); Crab Apple • Crann Fia-úll • Malus (here, next to this marker); Heather • Fraoch Mór • Calluna Vulgaris (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galway.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.