Cork Views: What makes Rotary Tree of Remembrance so special

It’s that time of year again! As Cork city prepares to sparkle for Christmas, one festive landmark stands out - not just for its beauty, but for its heart.

The Rotary Tree of Remembrance, a truly special tradition, shines as a beacon of love, community, and charity, embodying the Rotary motto: ‘Service Above Self’. This tree isn’t simply decoration; it’s a powerful symbol of remembrance, connection, and local giving.

Launching a Tradition That Matters

Mark your calendars! The Rotary Tree of Remembrance on Patrick Street officially opens on Saturday, December 13, at noon. The significance of the event is highlighted each year by the presence of the Lord Mayor and other city dignitaries who gather to mark the beginning of this meaningful campaign.

Rotarian Tom Woodward is enthusiastic about the launch: “The Rotary Tree of Remembrance has become an integral part of the city centre Christmas experience, allowing people to remember their loved ones in a simple yet poignant way amid the bustle.

“As the big day draws nearer, it becomes festooned with yellow ribbons, each with its own special message. It has raised much-needed funds for Cork charities over the past 23 years. On Saturday, the Lord Mayor will place the first ribbon on the tree as First Citizen.”

How It Works: A Simple, Powerful Idea

The magic of the Rotary Tree lies in its simplicity. Christmas brings joy, but it can also highlight the absence of those we’ve lost. The tree offers a public, comforting way to acknowledge that. Anyone can take a yellow ribbon, write a message to someone they miss, and tie it to the branches.

What starts as a private moment becomes part of something shared, as message after message gathers on the branches.

By Christmas Eve, the tree is covered in yellow ribbons - each one representing someone remembered and someone missed, each one marking a memory, each one meaningful.

The People Behind the Project

The Rotary Tree of Remembrance doesn’t appear overnight. Its success relies on the teamwork of the Rotary Club of Cork and the Bishopstown Rotary Club, working closely with Cork City Council and volunteers from the year’s benefiting charities. These volunteers stand at the tree from morning to night, rain or shine, offering ribbons, listening to stories, and providing a moment of connection to anyone who stops by.

Your Ribbon, Their Lifeline

Donations raised translate directly into meaningful support for organisations across Cork. This year’s beneficiaries again represent a wide range of support across the county:

• Marymount University Hospital & Hospice
• ARC Cancer Support Services
• Westgate Foundation
• Shine
• Horizons (formerly COPE)
• St Luke’s Home

Looking at just three of this year’s beneficiaries, you can see why the Tree of Remembrance matters.

Every day, 30 families in Ireland face a life-changing dementia diagnosis, and St Luke’s Home is there to provide compassionate, specialised care. As a charity relying entirely on donations, the support generated by the Tree helps them offer dignity, comfort, and connection when families need it most.

Horizons champions inclusion for 2,800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities across 70 locations in Cork. Funds raised through the Tree help provide assistive technology, community housing, and essential resources that offer independence and real choice to the people they support.

Shine works with autistic children and their families, delivering programmes that build communication, connection, and confidence-small moments that mean everything, especially at Christmas. The Rotary Tree helps sustain these crucial services.

Together, these charities show exactly how each yellow ribbon and every donation make a real and lasting difference throughout Cork.

Over 23 years, the Rotary Tree of Remembrance has supported a broad and diverse network of charities, touching countless lives throughout Cork. Its impact is woven into the fabric of the city’s Christmas season.

A big thank you to the people of Cork, whose continued generosity fuels this tradition year after year.

A Season of Service and Remembrance

The Rotary Tree of Remembrance runs to Christmas Eve and concludes with a special Ecumenical Service on Saturday, January 9, 2026, at the Holy Trinity Church on Fr Mathew Quay. It’s a thoughtful way to close a project that brings people together each year, reflecting the community spirit at the heart of Rotary.

A Centenary and a Global Movement

The Rotary Club of Cork is approaching a major milestone: its 100th anniversary. The centenary will coincide with the annual Rotary Conference, hosted in September, 2026, by the Bishopstown Rotary Club at the Rochestown Park Hotel. It promises to be a celebration of Rotary’s immense and ongoing contribution to local and global communities.

While the Tree of Remembrance focuses on local needs, Rotary’s reach is global. Its international network tackles major humanitarian projects-from building infrastructure after disasters to providing essential housing and education. One of its most ambitious efforts, carried out with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is the campaign to eradicate polio worldwide. It’s an example of how local acts of service connect to a global mission.

Find a Purpose, Find Your People

Rotary’s motto, ‘Service Above Self’, is not just a slogan - it’s the lived experience of its members. People from all professions and backgrounds come together to make a positive impact in their communities, all while building strong and lasting friendships. The clubs in Cork are always open to welcoming new members. Rotary life isn’t only about charity. Weekly meetings feature guest speakers, cultural visits, and the tradition of ‘job talks’, where members share a professional journeys. It’s a wonderful way to get to know people, exchange ideas, and stay connected.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back or simply wish to learn more, consider exploring Rotary membership. Information is available online-it could be a chance to find not just a project, but a genuine purpose.