A 90-year-old oak tree in Ballyraine, Letterkenny, has been cut down despite a year-long community campaign to save it.

The Sessile Oak tree was chopped yesterday to make way for a footpath and cycle path as part of Active Travel Project works.

Campaigners had called for the cycle path to be diverted around the tree, but it emerged that this was not possible due to the criteria of the infrastructure that has been planned for the area.

For months, a ribbon and signage circled the tree trunk, poems were written and a petition to save the Oak last year gathered almost 1,600 signatures.

A gathering in October 2024 to ‘save the Oak tree’

Campaigners left messages on the Ballyraine Oak Tree

In October last year, as eight maple trees were felled in Ballyraine Park for the same project, Donegal County Council said the action “was not taken lightly”.

In acknowledging the community’s sentiment, Donegal County Council created plans to reuse the tree and “preserve or continue its memory”.

The council considered the potential of working together with the local school and men’s shed to create public benches, planters etc. from the wood.

It was also considered that acorns from the trees could be harvested, replanted in the local area, and made available to residents.

90-year-old oak tree felled in Ballyraine Letterkenny

The project at Ballyraine, when completed, will see 32 semi-mature trees (including 10 oak trees), 55 shrubs and hundreds of wildflowers added to the area along with raised planters and five park benches.

A key aspect of the project would be a “particular focus on providing a net gain with regards to biodiversity impact.”

The next part of the N56 Letterkenny Urban Active Travel project will also provide signalised junctions at the Ballyraine Halls Roundabout and the Creamery Roundabout. The lights will cover key areas where motorists experience congestion travelling to/from the Ramelton Road (R245) and the Business Park area.

 

 

 

 

Iconic Letterkenny oak tree felled for active travel works was last modified: September 3rd, 2025 by Staff Writer