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Have you heard about the hungry tree in Dublin 7?

It’s been gobbling a bench for the last eighty years.

HAVE YOU HEARD the one about the hungry tree?

Situated on the grounds of King’s Inns is a tree that has been slowly but surely gobbling up an iron bench.

The tree is estimated to be around eighty years old and has grown in a way that makes it appear it is eating the bench.

Like so.

The tree is a London Plane and has become a bit of an attraction in its own right. An urban curiosity, if you will.

A quick flicker through the #hungrytree hashtag on Instagram yields lots of photos of passersby sitting on the bench and likely praying the tree doesn’t consume them, too.

Last year, Irish Times reported that Green Party councillor Ciaran Cuffe proposed a motion calling for the tree and bench to be protected.

Councillors passed the motion and Dublin City Council later confirmed that the tree and bench were covered under existing measures protecting King’s Inns and its grounds.

Fancy seeing this oddity in the flesh?

Simply nip into King’s Inns on Constitution Hill, Dublin 7, and you’ll find it residing by the South Gate. Approach at your own peril.

More: ‘Better BBQ than Hong Kong’: The insider’s guide to finding fantastic Chinese food in Dublin>

More: ‘You’re being transported back’: The Galway pub where the barman knew Samuel Beckett>

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    Mute winston smith
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    Dec 19th 2016, 3:13 PM

    Where did this poll sprout from?

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    Mute Lily Martin
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    Dec 19th 2016, 4:35 PM

    Brussels

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    Mute windbag
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    Dec 19th 2016, 1:18 PM

    Yes … mixed with bacon bits and cooked in oven….mmmmm

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    Mute Paul Mc
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    Dec 19th 2016, 1:31 PM

    I like an odd sprout or two and am partial to a gallon or two of bud.

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    Mute Catherine M
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    Dec 19th 2016, 2:59 PM

    @windbag: Definitely! Crispy bacon bits, a bit of butter to give them that warm texture, salt/pepper – noice!

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    Mute Sam Glynn
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    Dec 19th 2016, 4:31 PM

    And pine nuts…..yum yum

    29
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    Mute peter crew
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    Dec 19th 2016, 5:40 PM

    Fries with onion and bacon in soy sauce

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    Mute Alan Farrell
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:48 AM
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    Mute Michael Kelly
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    Dec 19th 2016, 5:46 PM

    I’d eat a Turkey made of sprouts…

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    Mute Rita Mcgettigan
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    Dec 19th 2016, 7:49 PM

    I love sprouts.

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    Mute Michael Kelly
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    Dec 19th 2016, 5:57 PM

    I’d eat button sprouts EVERY day if l could, but on the contrary, l can’t bear to watch my 12 year old daughter’s face when l reply to her: “whats for dinner” ? Question…l suppose it’s an aquired taste..

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    Mute Neal, not Neil.
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    Dec 20th 2016, 8:54 AM

    You’re not supposed to serve it as the main element of the dinner.

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    Mute Jlocoroco
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    Dec 19th 2016, 11:50 PM

    cover them in chocolate and save them for the kids on halloween

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    Mute Michael Clinton
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    Dec 19th 2016, 7:19 PM

    Hovercraft fuel, I love ‘em. I actually love the stalk as well , boiled in the water off the bacon.. yummmm

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    Mute Eleanor Hegarty
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    Dec 20th 2016, 12:11 AM

    Has to be the bacon/ham water

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    Mute Michael Clinton
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    Dec 20th 2016, 2:30 AM

    @ Elanor, serious respect.

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    Mute Dubabroad
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    Dec 20th 2016, 1:13 AM

    Done with lots of bacon bits

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    Mute George McCarthy
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    Dec 19th 2016, 6:36 PM

    George Say”s – more “Journal” nonsense.

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    Mute Tony Dunne
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    Dec 20th 2016, 9:51 AM

    Love them shredded and fried with smoked bacon butter black pepper and nutmeg

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