The Famine Arboretum in Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, Dublin, stands as a unique living memorial to Ireland’s Great Famine. Established in 1996 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Famine, it was conceived and developed by the Tree Council of Ireland—an organisation that has long championed the power of trees to connect people with nature, history, and community.

The first arboretum of its kind in Ireland, it remains one of the Tree Council of Ireland’s most significant and enduring legacy projects. Designed as a place of remembrance, reflection, education, and biodiversity, the arboretum tells the story of the Irish diaspora through trees. Species were carefully selected from countries around the world where Irish emigrants settled, including North America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and Europe, creating a living symbol of the global journey of those who left Ireland during one of the darkest chapters in the nation's history.

Approximately 150 different tree species, comprising up to 2,000 individual trees, were planted in distinctive sunburst formations radiating from a central oak tree. This striking design symbolises Ireland at the heart of the emigration story, with each avenue of trees representing the many paths taken by those forced to seek new lives abroad.

The Tree Council of Ireland played a central role in the vision, design, and delivery of the arboretum, recognising that trees can serve not only as elements of the landscape but also as living monuments that preserve memory, inspire reflection, and foster understanding. Through thoughtful species selection, innovative landscape design, and community involvement, the Council created a space that honours the past while promoting environmental awareness and the importance of protecting our natural heritage.

Today, the Famine Arboretum remains a place of quiet reflection, environmental education, and ecological value within one of Dublin’s largest public parks. As the trees continue to mature, they provide an increasingly important habitat for wildlife while offering visitors a landscape that changes beautifully with the seasons. More than a memorial, the arboretum stands as a lasting testament to resilience, remembrance, and hope, embodying the Tree Council of Ireland’s enduring commitment to using trees to enrich communities, preserve heritage, and create a more sustainable future.