Outside of Armagh, in a townland called Drumconwell, there exists an oak planting project. Set on nine acres of wonderful countryside, and overlooking the beautiful city of Armagh, is Rooted in Ireland. This is historical land indeed, the center of St Patrick's church, and an area steeped in tradition and folklore. Armagh is a modern city as well, boasting a modern 4 star hotel, numerous golf courses, and a wealth of visitor attractions. Many of the nearby villages are worthy of a visit just for their own attractions, and it is an area that, once visited, is never forgotten.

There is one thing however that is sadly lacking on the landscape, and that is trees. Ireland as a whole is now the most treeless land in Europe, with County Armagh being one of the worst affected, and this is where the Rooted in Ireland story begins.

The three directors of Rooted in Ireland, Patrick Nugent, Anne-Marie Nugent, and Peter Slevin had spent hours discussing setting up a business that was wholesome and beneficial to the environment, while also being unique to the area. Inspired by an article in an Australian newspaper about a similar project in Sydney, they set to work clearing and preparing the land, mapping out the planting paths, and finally, planting the oak trees themselves. There are currently 1700 trees planted, with another 2000 trees planned for the end of October. When the trees are in, they are then offered for sale to interested parties, who receive a certificate of ownership, and a frame ready photograph of their tree. The tree number is noted, and the person's name, and an inscription is entered in the tree ledger. So far, most of the purchases have come from people in the United States, the most notable of whom is an Upstate New York Mayor, Mr. Jim Sottile. In August, two of Rooted in Ireland's directors were invited to have a stall at the Federation of Genealogical Societies annual convention in Boston, Massachusetts. The response to the project was outstanding, with all the promotional material gone in a matter of hours. The website (www.rootedinireland.com) has seen a huge increase in traffic since August, and people have been dedicatings trees to give as wedding presents, christening presents, etc. Some have been bought in memory of grandparents and relatives who arrived in the United States from Ireland.

Ten thousand trees will have been planted when the project has reached completion, regardless of how long it takes. The directors (who financed the project from their own pockets) receive no income from this, it truly is a labor of love. However, the project is currently being considered for funding by various bodies, and is open for random donations, and it is this money, along with money from purchased dedications, that sustains Rooted in Ireland. If you believe in karma, this business is destined to succeed. With all the information out there about global warming and carbon footprints, a project such as Rooted in Ireland, deserves to succeed!