APPROXIMATELY 27 trees along the historic Centre Park road were among the thousands that fell during storm Ophelia, miraculously without injury.

A number of roads throughout the city and county were closed as Gardaí dealt with each incident and traffic was diverted.

Cork City Council said they have at least three crews out working on tree removal prioritising the opening of main roads but said a number of routes are still closed.

Historian and Independent Councillor Kieran McCarthy said the trees along Centre Park road had been historic and it was a pity to see them go.

“Centre Park road used to be a racecourse with the road going up the middle making part of the track with the trees lining it.

“These trees were planted in the ‘30’s, ‘40’s and some of them had been dead awhile. The council had been working on a general plan to replace them.” 

Mr McCarthy said even if it was a healthy tree it would have been tough to survive the gusts of wind blowing through Cork yesterday.

“It is a shame they are gone. They were historic, gorgeous trees and Ophelia took them.” Mr McCarthy said it would take some time to replant the trees and clean up from storm Ophelia.

“We were lucky, it could have been much worse, but thankfully people stayed indoors and not all we have to do is clean up.”