Tramore Hidden History
Green linnets
In the grounds of Christ Church Tramore stands a large tree at the back of the Church. Below the tree there appears to be a small headstone. When you look carefully at it, you realise that it is not a headstone but a stone marker.
It tells us the following:
“In this tree on the 30th January 1938
were killed 14 Green Linnets in a big gale”
The poet William Wordsworth was so taken by this little bird that he wrote a poem about it. Should you have some time to spare look up his poem. “The Green Linnet” In Irish broadside ballads of the early 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte was often referred to metaphorically as “the Green Linnet.”
The message on this stone is now fading and will soon be lost to the elements.
Just like the linnets.
History by Paul Brent
