As you travel about Ireland you will from time to time come across a tree or bush by the roadside completely covered in rags or scraps of clothing. You have found a ‘ragtree’ or a ’raggedy bush. Usually the rags are placed there by peoplewho believe that if a piece of clothing from someone who is ill, or has aproblem of any kind, is hung from the tree the problem or illness will disappear as the rag rots away. Sometimes the rag represents a wish or aspiration which will come to pass as the rag rots.