IRISH-IN-UK-L Archives

From: "Jean R." <>
Subject: [Irish-in-UK] The Emerald Isle
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:03:45 -0800

SNIPPET: Separating Ireland from Great Britain is the Irish Sea, about 10 miles at its narrowest, and 120 miles at its widest. The land of Ireland comprises 32,595 squares miles, and roughly speaking, the greatest length of the country is 302 miles, and at its greatest width it is 175 miles. No point within the island is more than 70-80 miles from the sea-shore. The Irish Sea to the east is about 200 metres deep, and is rough enough sea in the winter, particularly in the more exposed and open SW. The Atlantic Ocean to the west presents an awesome sight at any time of the year, with its 60-ft rollers and breakers hurling themselves all down the west coast. America is 2,400 miles away to the west. The entire Irish coastline adds up to over 3,500 miles.

Because of its sea-girt nature the land of Ireland enjoys a moderate climate. Winters are relatively mild, and summers reasonably warm, the occasional summer being positively Mediterranean. The months of July and August are the warmest, averaging 15 degree C. or 59 degrees F. May and June are the months with the most sun. Snow and ice, except on high mountains, are rare, but there is always the unexpected and an exceptional winter. Overall, the moderate influence of the warm Gulf Stream, drifting down the west coast, makes for subtropical and unusual foliage and flowers and fauna in the southwest. From the prevailing winds coming in from the Atlantic Ocean comes the rain, which is heavier in the west, and averages about 30 inches in the east. Because of its westerly geographical position, there are more hours of daylight in Ireland than in the rest of Europe and a clear sky with light and lucidity which is forever changing, and best described in paintings or visual terms as an "Expressionist' light. This is the overriding beauty above the landscape. To add to this overall beauty of sky and light, the physical features of Ireland are such that every range of scenery in Europe is available on one small isle. No two county divisions of the country are alike.

Generally speaking, Ireland comprises a central undulating plain of limestone, encircled by a coastal range of highland mountains of all sorts of geological structures and ages. The central plain is mostly bogland, with glacial deposits of clay and of sand, and scarred by hundreds of lakes. Scenically, Ireland is allied to Scotland and to Wales, but lost out, for good or evil, on coalfields. With over 800 lakes and rivers, the land is well watered and beautified. The Shannon River is the longest, at 230 miles, and drains one-fifth of the whole of Ireland. A birds-eye view of the topography shows the Shannon flowing from north to south, through Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg. To the west are Loughs Mask and Corrib. North of the Shannon source lie the Lower and Upper Lough Erne. Lough Neagh (the largest lake) dominates the NE corner with its Bann and Lagan rivers. The Boyne and the Liffey flow east-west. The Slaney, Barrow, Nore and Suir flow to the SE. The Blackwater and Lee flow from the west to turn to the south. Lough Leane peeps out from the deep SW corner.

Carrantuohill is the highest mountain peak in the country at 3,414 feet. The south and SW regions have areas of old red sandstone rocks with valleys of limestone. The west features limestone deserts, plus a mixture of granite, quartzite and igneous rocks. This is repeated in the NE, where great basalt plateaus appear with the addition of granite mountains. Granite reappears in the east coast.

Twice Ireland was subjected to ice ages of glaciation, the first covering the entire country, the second extending to two-thirds of the country. The retreat of the glaciers has given ice-smoothed rocks, and glacial deposits of clay and gravel, providing a distinct character to the landscape. Because of Ireland's position in Europe as the last country to suffer the last ice age, much of the earlier fauna and flora disappeared, and consequently there is much less in Ireland than in Britain, but it is also somewhat different, as Cantabrian plants, such as are found in Spain, are also found in Ireland, and even some North American types. One area in the west of Ireland has rare alpine Arctic species of wild flowers, and in the SW flora is rich in Mediterranean species.

The bird life of Ireland is also rich, there being 380 or so species of wild birds, of which over 130 breed in the country. Much of the worlds' Greenland white-fronted geese spend their winters in Ireland, and the Atlantic coast gives safe harbour to most of the world's gannets and stormy petrels.

-- Excerpts, "Ireland - Beautiful Countries Series," by John O'Leary (Crescent Books/1987).

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• [Irish-in-UK] The Emerald Isle by "Jean R." <>