22/05/2024

Our Donegal ramble today is a pleasant evening walk with the doggie around the backroads of Killeen. It was our first spotting of the only native Iris flower in Ireland, known as Yellow Flag. The Irish name is ‘Feileastram’ which is also the Irish for the Fleur de Lis, commonly used in the heraldic coats of arms. It is such a pretty wild flower, and as you would expect, we find the yellow flag flowers in much of the folklore and tradition. It is associated with the cure for toothache and coughs, and its leaves recommended to cure mumps. Changlings, kidnapped by the wee folk were thought to reappear as clumps of yellow flag.
It will be a very common sight for the next few months, taking the baton from the dandelions that have morphed into puff balls, to keep the summery yellow palette going - and then the heathers and foxgloves will take over with their pinks and purples. We’ll bring you to it all! Enjoy
#donegal #wildflowers #yellowflag #ireland #rambles #studyabroadireland #findmyireland