A PUBLIC garden in Co Down has become the first in Ireland to receive a prestigious award in recognition of its tree collection.
Castlewellan Arboretum and Annesley Garden, part of Castlewellan Forest Park, received a plaque from the International Dendrology Society (IDS).
The IDS promotes the study of trees and the conservation of rare and endangered plants.
Forest Service Chief Executive John Joe O'Boyle said the honour recognised the "unique nature" of the garden, which was set up in 1750.
"It is a place of unquestionable beauty in all seasons and particularly at this time of year as the blooms are emerging," he said.
“It is also a place of great history, as many of the trees here are more than a century old and have grown through World Wars, momentous events and times of great upheaval. The arboretum and gardens also have great scientific value as the specimens here represent a horticultural collection of unequalled diversity.’’
Hundreds of species grow in the garden.
Thomas Pakenham, vice-president of the IDS for Ireland, said it had only presented 16 plaques worldwide in the last 60 years.
"It demonstrates that this is a place that registers high on the global scale, a unique place to inspire the senses as well as a place for education and research," he said.
In its citation, the IDS praised Castlewellan as: "One of the most remarkable tree collections not only in Ireland but in the whole of Europe. Just a few miles from the Irish sea, sheltered by the mountains and surrounding woodland, Castlewellan Arboretum and Annesley garden contain a truly extraordinary number of trees of great rarity, beauty and size."
