FLORA AND FAUNA

During the Ice Age, glaciers covered nearly all of Ireland, meaning that much of its current plant and animal life arrived afterward through migration from other regions. While there was still a land bridge between Ireland and the rest of the British Isles, most species made their way from northern Europe. However, Ireland’s flora and fauna have some distinctive characteristics. This is partly due to the climate, but also because Ireland became separated from Britain by the Irish Sea before Britain was cut off from mainland Europe, limiting the range of species that could reach the island.

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Agriculture, forestry, and fishing

Although agriculture is no longer the backbone of Ireland’s economy, it still plays a significant role. Most of the country’s farmland is used for pasture and hay production. Thanks to Ireland’s mild and wet climate, vegetation grows abundantly, especially the lush grasslands that allow animals to graze outdoors for much of the year. The majority of farms are family-owned, and only a small number of agricultural workers are hired laborers. Mixed farming is common, with beef cattle farming dominating in the Midlands, and dairy farming more common in the south. The east and southeast regions focus heavily on cereal crops, while sheep farming is typical in hilly and mountainous areas across the country.

The majority of Ireland’s agricultural output comes from livestock and animal products, with beef being the most valuable, followed by milk and pigs. Other key products include cereals like barley and wheat, poultry and eggs, sheep and wool, and root crops such as potatoes and sugar beets—the latter being sufficient to meet the country’s sugar needs.

When Ireland gained independence in 1922, forests covered less than 1% of the country’s land. However, since World War II, government reforestation programs have significantly expanded forested areas—nearly eight times more than before. In addition, private tree-planting efforts grew in the late 20th century. In 1988, a state-owned company was created to oversee and manage Ireland’s commercial forestry sector.

As for fishing and aquaculture, these industries have been developed since the mid-20th century. Ireland’s location gives it access to some of the richest fishing grounds in the European Union, located just off its coasts. However, this also brings strong competition from other EU countries, making the industry highly competitive.