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A TWO-CENTURIES-OLD horse chestnut tree said farewell to its home in Knockreer in the early hours of last Friday morning and as it fell it spelled the end of an era for many.

The tree would have been planted during the tenure of the Earls of Kenmare and was one of many to take pride of place in Knockreer Estate.

Meanwhile, following its fall, have been calls for checks on trees in the National Park for safety reasons. “We are so fortunate to have the wonderful National Park so close to Killarney town, It affords us the opportunity to walk or cycle away from street traffic and urban din,” said Councillor Michael Gleeson. “It is however vitally important that the trees that grow tall by the side of the pathways are regularly examined by experts in order to ensure their well-being. “The recent collapse of a very large tree by the side of a walkway in the Demesne could have had serious consequences. Fortunately nobody was in the vicinity at the time the tree uprooted and crashed to ground.”