Yew is one of the most ancient and symbolically rich trees in Ireland. It has stood in churchyards, monastic sites, and sacred landscapes for centuries, often outliving the very buildings beside it. Some Irish yews are believed to be over a thousand years old, making the tree a living witness to generations of history. In folklore, yew symbolised endurance, renewal, and the cycle of life, its evergreen needles representing continuity even through the darkest seasons.

The timber reflects that same sense of depth and mystery. Yew is strikingly beautiful, with colours that range from warm honey to deep, resin‑rich reds, often contrasted by creamy sapwood. Its grain can twist and ripple in dramatic, organic patterns, giving the wood a sense of movement and life. No two pieces of yew ever look alike, each one carries its own natural artwork shaped by time, weather, and the tree’s slow, deliberate growth.

Historically, yew was one of the most prized woods in Ireland and across Europe. Its strength and flexibility made it ideal for longbows, ceremonial objects, and fine carving. Because the trees grow slowly and live for centuries, the timber was always considered special, something to be used with respect and purpose. Mature yew often develops rich heartwood surrounded by pale sapwood, a contrast that reflects the tree’s age and the many seasons it has endured.

Yew carries a presence that feels ancient and almost spiritual. It is a wood steeped in heritage, shaped by centuries of Irish landscape and lore. When responsibly sourced from trees that have reached the end of their natural life, the timber holds a story that stretches far beyond the workshop, a story of endurance, history, and quiet strength