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The Cherry Blossom Tales is an immersive creative non-fiction project with St. Nathy’s College. Set in Dillon’s Garden, it brings to life echoes of Ballaghaderreen’s past through storytelling, art, folklore, and community recollections. The project focuses on the role of Anne Deane in the Ladies Land League.

The feature picture above shows Dillon House Garden before development – Photo: Michael Cawley Collection.

Over the coming months our students will interpret Ballaghaderreen’s history through the language of the Cherry Blossom Tree, at the back of Dillon House.

The bark of the cherry blossom tree is a living script, its textured surface marked with the imprint of time. Raised knots and ridges trace a story in wood, like an ancient language carved by nature’s hand. To run a hand across it is to touch memory itself; layers of growth, resilience, and quiet transformation are held within the tree’s skin.

Huge ‘thank you’ to Karen Munnelly of St. Nathy’s and to all the students involved in this wonderful project.

The Cherry Blossom Tales is led by Dr. Anna King, in collaboration with Ms. Munnelly’s TY students at St. Nathy’s College. Funded by the Roscommon County Council Creative Ireland Programme 2025.

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