Newtownabbey: Cherry blossoms celebrated by NI Japanese community

BBC News

18-04-2025

Once a year a housing estate in County Antrim becomes a special place for the Japanese community in Northern Ireland as rows of cherry blossom trees burst into life.The candy floss coloured trees are enjoyed by Merville Garden Village residents and visitors every spring with the streets almost painted in beautiful pinks.But the blossoms are especially celebrated by members of the Japan Society of Northern Ireland as part of a traditional Japanese 'Hanami' (flower viewing) festival. Instead of the usual festival run by Merville House and the residents society, this year members from Japan Society NI's dance group celebrated in their own special way.
Yukari Norris and Yoriko Marshall were wearing special pink, yellow and white patterned kimonos - the traditional Japanese summer dress for women - during their visit to see the trees.And it's all to honour the coming of their special 'sakura' - or cherry blossom - a central theme of life in their home country. In Japan, these beautiful trees represent the transience of life - here today and gone tomorrow. Cherry blossoms are also considered the national flower of Japan.Yukari and Yoriko celebrate their memories of Japan by visiting the cherry blossom trees at Merville Garden Village every year, to reflect, eat and even dance.
"The cherry blossom is very important to Japanese people because it is a symbol of beauty or life being short - so you have to enjoy it," Yukari told BBC News NI."Every time there is a special occasion at home or we mark an entrance at school, we go to the cherry blossom for a photo under the tree. It takes you back to memories you have. "It reminds me of a lesson - life doesn't last forever so you have to enjoy the moment, like the trees." Since moving to Northern Ireland 24 years ago from Kyoto, Yukari meets friends from the Japan Society NI under the cherry blossom trees to have a party, picnic and to perform a traditional Japanese folk dance. "I started a dance group 15 years ago," she said. "I have been dancing since I was five and I wanted a way we could perform and celebrate together."
Yukari's dance group is called the 'Hannari' club which means 'elegance' in her home place. Yoriko moved to Northern Ireland 17 years ago from Fukushima after meeting her husband who is from Northern Ireland."The cherry blossoms remind us of home," said Yoriko. "It makes me homesick."She even named her daughter Sakura to symbolise how much she loves the cherry trees and her home country. "We make our own cherry blossom viewing party because that's what we miss at home," she said."We dance anywhere, we just need music that's it."
'Instagrammable place'
Merville resident Linda Dennis say they get plenty of "Asian visitors coming to see the trees"."Japanese people pose and hug the trees and we find it funny seeing it but we love it… if we see visitors coming to take a selfie we'll stop and help them and take a photo for them," she said.Rory and his dog George have lived in Merville for four years, and he described it as a "very instagrammable place".Louisa Morrison seems to know everyone who walks past (and their dogs). She says living in Merville Gardens brings a "feel good factor"."On a day like today, the blue sky and the brightness of the pink," she adds. "It just warms your heart up. It just makes you feel good."We are just so lucky to live here."
Merville Garden Village is a conservation area with strict rules and regulations. Flags, emblems and painting of curbs is forbidden and the houses are all painted the same shade of white.Jane and Billy Stranney started off their married life living in Merville 47 years ago. After 20 years away, they moved back to retire here ten years ago.She says Merville is a "special place"."These transient and beautiful trees are something to look forward to at this time of year," she added.Jane reckons the cherry blossoms are at least 60 to 70 years old, possibly planted before Merville Gardens Village was built in 1949."There has been a cherry blossom festival here the last few years but not this year because of lack of volunteers and funding. It just got too big."
When is the best time to see the trees?
Northern Ireland's sakura or 'pink confetti' usually bloom between March and early June.The flowers only bloom for a relatively short time.
Who planted the trees?
Claire Crawford from Merville House, the Georgian 18th Century manor house that sits within the grounds of Merville Garden Village, said the Ulster Garden Villages are to thank for planting the trees. She said that rumour has it, the trees were supposed to be planted between Merville Gardens and the Abbey Georgian house in Whiteabbey but Merville House managed to get the lot.