The Ancient Yew of Ashbrittle
Many stories surround the Ashbrittle Yew. The mound beneath the tree is thought by many to be Bronze Age and a pre-Roman chief is said to be buried there. According to local legend, the church
was built on a druidic circle near which battles between Celts and invading Roman
soldiers took place, and the heads of fallen Roman soldiers were brought triumphantly back here to be buried.
Indeed, yew trees were very important to the Celts
. The yew occupied the most important point in their "tree calendar," the autumn festival of Samhain.
This festival marked the end of the Celtic year. The seeming immortality of the yew represented the cycle of change and regeneration that the Celts saw in all forms of life.
Many Christian churches were later built near yews, continuing the association with ceremony and worship.
A sprig of yew is still sometimes placed on coffins as a symbol of renewal and resurrection.