If you like curiosities and other unusual sites, we recommend a stroll through the gardens of King’s Inn Park in the heart of Dublin, Ireland. Along the way, you’ll come across the famous “Hungry Tree”, an imposing tree that has literally “absorbed” a nearby piece of bench as it grew!
The Hungry Tree – © yuplex
It’s the first time this has ever happened! A London plane tree(Platanus x hispanica), a fairly common species in Dublin, decided to become one with a nearby wrought-iron bench!
The phenomenon unfolded slowly, as the tree (over 80 years old) grew. Little by little, the trunk grew and thickened, gradually absorbing part (the back and legs) of the poor wrought-iron bench that stood nearby.
It’s quite an original show! Even romantic! Here we discover the all-powerful force of nature in the face of human settlement. Proof that man is no match for nature, and that with time and patience, nature can literally “erase” the creations of contemporary society.
The tree seems to have “eaten” the bench, making it one of the neighborhood’s most popular attractions! On closer inspection, the bench even seems to be “sucked in” by the bark: leaning back, it seems to be caught up in the quiet, imposing force of the plane tree…
To find it, you’ll need to go to King’s Inn Park, in the gardens of the prestigious Honorable Society of King’s Inns (the country’s oldest law school, founded in 1541 and still in operation today!) It’s easy to get to and free of charge, so you can take a stroll through the green spaces and then take a selfie next to the tree!
The icing on the cake: this spot is still quite confidential. Although it’s well worth a visit, it’s not yet well known to the general public. Also, the bench is generally not very busy: a godsend for those allergic to crowds and mass tourism!
Want to extend your visit without having to rush around? Here are a few well-located places to stay near the must-see attractions.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
King's Inn Park, Dublin (County Dublin) - Republic of Ireland
53.352114678057085, -6.273214243212798
15 minutes
3.35/5 (37 votes)