Ireland's Environment
There are lots of interesting things to see in Ireland: cliffs, beaches, mountains, lakes, rivers, boglands and woodlands.
The Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair)
There are lots of cliffs along the coast of Ireland. The most famous of these is the Cliffs of Mother. They are on the edge of the Burren, in County Clare. On a good day you can see the Aran Islands and the Twelve Pins in County Galway and Loop Head in County Clare. https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/ |
Here are some more photographs:
The Burren (An Boirinn)
Botanists from all over the world visit the Burren to study the plants growing there. Here are some of the plants they are looking for:
There are also butterflies that cannot be found anywhere else in the country such as these:
Botanists usually visit the Burren during the spring or summer but birdwatchers prefer to go in the wintertime so that they can see the birds that are attracted to the turloughs.
If you are lucky you might see some of these animals. Click on the picture if you want to learn more about any of these animals.
Turlough (Tuar Loch)
The word turlough comes from the Irish "tuar loch" which means dry lake. Turloughs are unique to Ireland. These lakes form when rainfall is heaviest. The water table rises and water bubbles up through the underground springs. It spreads out to form the lake. When there is less rain the water table drops again and the lake disappears.
If you look closely at the picture below you can see a wall running through this lake! In the summer time the lake will disappear and the farmer will be able to use his field again.
The word turlough comes from the Irish "tuar loch" which means dry lake. Turloughs are unique to Ireland. These lakes form when rainfall is heaviest. The water table rises and water bubbles up through the underground springs. It spreads out to form the lake. When there is less rain the water table drops again and the lake disappears.
If you look closely at the picture below you can see a wall running through this lake! In the summer time the lake will disappear and the farmer will be able to use his field again.
Aillwee Cave
Aillwee Cave is near Ballyvaughan in County Clare. It is open to the public and is a very popular tourist attraction.
The cave was discovered in the 40ties by a man out walking his dog. His dog disappeared into the mountain and when the man followed him he discovered the cave. The caves were formed by rainwater dissolving the limestone over thousands of years. http://www.aillweecave.ie/ |
If you visit the cave you will see the stalactites and stalagmites. They are made of calcite which is the same mineral that the limestone is made of.
Here are some more photographs of the Burren for you to look at:
Beaches
There are some lovely beaches and coastline around the country.
There are some lovely beaches and coastline around the country.
Woodland
Deciduous Trees
Some trees are deciduous which means they loose their leaves in autumn. Birds and small mammals depend on these trees for food and shelter. Birds love to eat the insects which come to drink the nectar of the flowers. Birds and small mammals also like to eat the seeds of the trees.
Some trees are deciduous which means they loose their leaves in autumn. Birds and small mammals depend on these trees for food and shelter. Birds love to eat the insects which come to drink the nectar of the flowers. Birds and small mammals also like to eat the seeds of the trees.
Oak Tree (Crann Darach)
Long ago the druids considered oakwoods sacred. Many Irish towns have the word "oak" in their names, for example: Cill Dara (Kildare). Cill Dara means church of the oak and Doire (Derry). Doire means oakwood. The oak tree can live for hundreds of years. There is in an ancient oak tree in Abbeyleix. It is thought that this is over 600 years old. Unfortunately, there are very few oakwoods left in Ireland.
Long ago the druids considered oakwoods sacred. Many Irish towns have the word "oak" in their names, for example: Cill Dara (Kildare). Cill Dara means church of the oak and Doire (Derry). Doire means oakwood. The oak tree can live for hundreds of years. There is in an ancient oak tree in Abbeyleix. It is thought that this is over 600 years old. Unfortunately, there are very few oakwoods left in Ireland.
Beech Tree (Feá)
The beech tree can live for 300 years. Beech trees are deciduous but the young beech trees do not shed their leaves in the winter.
The beech tree can live for 300 years. Beech trees are deciduous but the young beech trees do not shed their leaves in the winter.
Horse-Chestnut (Crann Cnó Capaill)
In autumn the horse chestnuts fall and the seeds fall out.
Ash (Fuinseog)
Sycamore Tree (Crann Seiceamar)
Evergreen Trees
Evergreen trees stay green all year round. Evergreens with cones are conifers.
Evergreen trees stay green all year round. Evergreens with cones are conifers.
Norway Spruce (Spruce Lochlanach)
Mountains
The mountains of Ireland are very popular with hill walkers. They can be very beautiful on a nice day but the weather in Ireland can change very quickly so it is important that they wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
The mountains of Ireland are very popular with hill walkers. They can be very beautiful on a nice day but the weather in Ireland can change very quickly so it is important that they wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
Na Beanna Beola
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The Galtee Mountains
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Rivers & Streams
A lot of cities and towns in Ireland were built on rivers.
A lot of cities and towns in Ireland were built on rivers.
Here are some photographs of streams and rivers around the country:
Lakes
Boglands
There are two types of bogland in Ireland. Blanket bogs are found on the west coast and in other mountainous areas around the country. They are home to many rare plants and animals. Raised bogs are found mainly in the midlands.
There are two types of bogland in Ireland. Blanket bogs are found on the west coast and in other mountainous areas around the country. They are home to many rare plants and animals. Raised bogs are found mainly in the midlands.