Arbor Day in 20th century Ireland

Abstract

“Arbor Day”, “Arbour Day”, “National Arbor Day” or “Lá na gCrann”, refer to a day devoted to tree planting. In Ireland these days occurred in three periods during the twentieth century: 1904–1924 organised and or promoted by the Irish Forestry Society or the Provisional Government/ Dáil Eireann; 1935–1939 by the Department of Lands and 1950–1987 by Trees for Ireland. Arbor Day events were held in urban and rural locations as was evident in written accounts and photographic records available on the Irish Newspaper Archives and The Irish Times 1859–2011 online which formed the basis of this account.