The hotel at Dunadry is a very up market establishment, catering to the famous personalities of the day. Its patrons may choose to enjoy the gardens and indulge in the age-old tradition of sitting and talking under a sheltering tree – surely more conducive to peace and reconciliation than a meeting room indoors.
What appears to be a single tree forms a centre point in the present garden. But these limes date back to harder times. Dunadry was a mill village, with single storey dwellings and small gardens running back to the river and mill race. Someone, sometime around 1830-40, planted two limes and linked them together.
When the derelict mill and village were transformed into a hotel, the historic feel of the mill was retained in the decor inside and the tree/trees were kept outside, a wonderful survival.
Embellished by a circular seat bought in for this purpose, long may they continue to shelter constructive dialogue.