It stood on that spot for more than a century.

But a 120-year-old Indian bean tree has finally fallen in Fitzgerald’s Park, collapsing in the poor weather on Monday, leaving workers and park visitors deeply saddened over its loss.

“It is with sadness to tell you that one of the fine majestic trees here in Fitzgeralds Park fell down, earlier today,” said a spokesperson for Cork Public Museum on Instagram.

The species, native to South Eastern United States, is said to have been planted around the time of the Great Cork Exhibition in 1902/1903 and more recently stood guard over the award-winning Sky Garden.

The Great Cork Exhibition was held in 1902. The fair’s concept was proposed by Edward Fitzgerald, Cork’s then-Lord Mayor, and it was held on eight hectares of reclaimed marshland. This area is now known as Fitzgerald’s Park- meaning the park and the tree are the same age.

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Some locals have expressed hopes that the Indian bean tree has not seen its final days and there’s a chance the wood could be repurposed for sculpture or artwork to commemorate its historic life:

“Hope it will be made into recognisable keepsakes by local artists instead of being used as firewood,” said one Corkonian.