My neighbour thinks its a magnolia but isn't sure!
It put out a single purple flower earlier this year the petals where long, thin and spaced (kinda ragged) but they dropped after a few days and I didn't get a picture i'd like to harvest the seeds and find out how and when is best!

Hi syzone8aUK,
That tree does indeed look to be a Magnolia but I can't say for sure which one since I'm not familiar with the type that grow in Ireland.

Agree with plantladylin...Magnolia sp.
The lumpy thing in pic 5 shows a healthy seed pod..not yet ripe.

Thanks lin! Couldn't find any magnolia flowers similar to the one that was on it! I'm convinced the petals didn't open correctly that's why I can't find it, it was located under dense foliage and I think I just didn't have the space (hence the ragged look) the leaves and seed pods I've looked up for magnolia look very similar so that's a good start!

:thankyou: Silversurfer

There are some hybrids with longer, thinner petals.

Magnolia stellata 'Rubra':
http://www.esveld.nl/htmldiaen...
http://treesofsantacruzcounty....

Loebner Magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel')
http://amycampion.com/wp-conte...

Magnolia 'Susan'
http://amycampion.com/wp-conte...

Wow thanks lin! some of those flowers have a stricking resemblance to the one I had! Particularly the susan
Edit: The susan seems much taller, neighbour says its been here for atleast 15 years and its only about 3½-4' tall. I accept its magnolia and exact species isn't necessary atm. thanks for the help and hopefully I get some more blooms next year I'll be sure to post them