An overlooked tree in a Donegal garden surprises with an abundant summer gift

Earlier this month, while staying with my sister and brother-in-law in Donegal, we had an unexpected treat. At the edge of their garden stands a tree that’s always just been… there. Part of the background. Pretty enough in blossom, easy to overlook once the petals drop.

But this time, something had changed.

The branches were dripping with bright red cherries. Not the sweet kind you might eat by the punnet in summer, but Montmorency cherries – tart, tangy, and absolutely delicious. We tasted one, then another. Then the race began.

A shared summer harvest

It was us versus the blackbirds and magpies, each party eyeing the fruit with equal determination. We picked carefully, leaving enough for the birds (or so we hoped), and filled bowls to bursting. The sourness hit that perfect summer note, refreshing and sharp, especially after a sunny beach walk with the dogs.

We turned the harvest into fruit pulp ice cubes (excellent in fruity cocktails!), chewy fruit leathers, and a simple juice that needed no sugar to shine. It felt like one of those unexpected seasonal gifts; right time, right place, and a bit of luck.

What surprised us most was this: none of us remembered the tree ever fruiting like this before. Could it really be the first time? Or had it fruited quietly year after year, picked clean before we noticed, while we sat just metres away?

Either way, we paid attention this time.

I’ve kept some of the cherry stones and will try growing a few at home. Maybe even in pots, so I can pass back young trees to my sister and brother-in-law, a quiet thank-you to the land and its small, surprising generosity.

I’ve also learned more about Montmorency cherries since. They’re packed with anti-inflammatory compounds, and some studies even suggest they support fat metabolism and muscle recovery. That’s all bloody marvellous, but honestly, I’d still love them just for the sharp joy of that first bite.

Nature never fails to surprise me. It just waits, patiently, for you to notice.