Forests of Ireland
The natural state of our uplands is temperate rainforest.
Temporarily stripped bare by overgrazing.
Here are some locations in their normal state. Join us in spreading the word.
History
The island of Ireland was renowned through history as a land covered in forest, heaving with wildlife such as wolves, bears, lynx and countless others.
Restoring Ireland's upland areas to their former lush, forested glory is not just a matter of ecological stewardship; it's a return to a rich historical tradition that has long defined the Emerald Isle. For millenia, Ireland was blanketed by dense forests, a natural haven for wildlife and a backdrop for its people and culture.
However, the indiscriminate grazing and over exploitation in these once-verdant regions has led to the erosion of native vegetation, loss of biodiversity, and a stark imbalance in the delicate ecosystem. With the gradual introduction of sheep and deer grazing in the uplands, however, these woodlands began to shrink, robbing the landscape of its natural resilience.
Historical records reveal that Ireland once boasted vast expanses of oak, birch, and other indigenous tree species. These forests provided habitat for countless species of birds, insects, and mammals, fostering a harmonious balance in the ecosystem.
Today, remnants of these ancient forests can still be found, hidden away in pockets of protected land. By embracing rewilding and curbing the practice of upland grazing, we can once again nurture these woodlands, allowing them to reclaim their rightful place in our collective heritage.
-
First clearances by early farmers.
-
Most hills burned and cleared
-
Current native woodland cover retreating
-
Exploitation of remaining pockets increased
-
Less than 2% coverage of native woodlands
Our natural state
Locations
These familiar locations are shown as they normally are. Temperate rainforest. We have gotten used to locations without forest cover, but the status quo for thousands of years was this vibrancy and associated ecosystems. Ireland has gone through periods of deforestation before and nature has always sprung back if given the chance.
Connemara, County Galway
Achill Island, County Mayo
Connemara, County Galway
The Poisoned Glen, County Donegal
County Kerry
County Galway
County Cork
County Down
Suggest Location
We're sure there's a favourite spot or location around the island that you would love to see visualised in it's previously forested state. Send us a location and we'll try and create a sample for you.
About
I'm sure you have some and there are a few that can be answered below. For others, use the form above.
- Forests of Ireland was created
- by a designer called Cian Walsh but now features a number of people from different disciplines.
- The goal of the project
- is to ensure as many people on the island are aware of the rainforest ecosystem that's awaiting us again.
- We will do this by
- getting these images in front of people in as many ways as possible, whether by billboard, TV and everything in between.
- You can help by
- contributing to the GoFundMe to raise the XXXXXX needed for the advertising costs
- We know this is the first step
- in a long journey for legislation and alternative land use for many.
- We think the people of this island
- innately want a vibrant ecosystem in their locality.