CAFRE student explores botany in the Balkans

Aidan Murphy, who is studying part-time at CAFRE on the Foundation Degree course pictured with a champion Ash tree in Biogradska National Park, Montenegro

A thrilling educational opportunity took Aidan Murphy to Montenegro for a botanical expedition

Horticulture

Read More: CAFRE Horticlture Plants

9 October 2025

Aidan Murphy, a part-time Foundation Degree in Horticulture student at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) returned from a botanical expedition to Montenegro.

The nine-day adventure was funded by the prestigious International Dendrology Society (IDS) Travel Bursary.

Aidan joined a team of international plant experts to survey native species, with a focus on woody species across Montenegro’s diverse landscapes.

Talking about his experiences, he shared some stories from his journey.

“It was an incredible experience! We started near sea level, exploring ancient olive groves dating back to the 1600s. One of the most striking sights was an Italian Cypress growing out of a stone wall in Stari Bar, held upright by a rope, yet towering impressively.”

“We found a stunning yellow foxglove near an old graveyard, and the real highlight was spotting Ramonda Serbica, the Serbian Phoenix Flower. It can survive complete dehydration and revive with just a bit of water. It has amazing resilience,” added Aidan.

“During our travels we saw Tilia Tomentosa with its silver foliage and sweet scent, and three species of mulberry growing side by side. Plants drastically changed as the tour rose in altitude to beyond 1,500 metres where the environment turned to an alpine setting.”

He continued: “we explored forests of Pinus Heldreichii, thought to be Europe’s oldest tree species. Its thick, dark bark gave it an ancient feel. In Biogradska National Park, we measured a champion Ash tree, Fraxinus excelsior with a girth of 4.8 metres, healthy and untouched by dieback.”

Commenting on the opportunity the IDS Travel Bursary afforded Aidan, Caithríona McCrudden, one of his FdSc course lecturers, said: “it’s great to see our students availing of opportunities to expand their knowledge and travel to areas to grow their prospects. Aidan has certainly done this.”

She added: “the trip has been transformative for him allowing real life application of plant identification skills. Some of the species he encountered are a far cry from the plants we have at Greenmount Campus, never mind Ireland.”

For those interested in experiencing similar adventure, applications for the IDS Travel Bursary will open again in late autumn.