Island of Woods: How Ireland Lost its Forests and How to Get them Back

by Paul McMahon

Forestry in Ireland has never been so contentious. Over the last century the area of Irish woodland has increased tenfold, mostly through the planting of imported conifer species; government policy is to plant more trees to supply industry and to tackle climate change, both urgent priorities. But there has been a backlash from farmers, local communities, environmentalists and EU regulators. The rate of planting has plummeted. And up to one-third of new plantations in Ireland are failed forests that should never have been planted in the first place. How did we end up in this peculiar situation?

Island of Woods traces the history of Irish forests over the last 10,000 years. It explains why Ireland lost so much of its forest cover, before a burst of tree-planting over the last few decades. It examines the state of Irish forestry today and sketches a way forward for our woods that balances commercial, environmental and social goals – a vision of a different type of forestry that could transform the Irish landscape and re-establish a genuine tree culture in the country.

This engaging examination of Irish woodlands relates historical events to present-day concerns and controversies, drawing out crucial themes that continue to shape the Irish landscape.

Table of Contents



Introduction

1. Going Native

2. Early Humans

3. Celtic Ireland

4. Medieval Invaders

5. Conquest and Commerce

6. The Two Irelands

7. Reforesting Ireland

8. Grinding to a Halt

9. A Sylvan Future?

Genres: Nonfiction, Ireland, Environment, Nature, Irish Literature, History

225 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2023

Reviews

[Rose Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a well researched, easy to read environmental history book on how Ireland lost its tree cover. McMahon challenges the notion that it is solely the result of the ventures of colonialism that we are no longer a wooded isle and demonstrates how the quintessential Irish bog was not always the natural state of the land.
Even if you’re not interested in how we lost our Celtic connection to the forests (and how we can rediscover it) you should read this as a person living through the age of unprecedented climate and ecological destruction.

[Ryan Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful look into the geological, biological, and cultural history of trees in Ireland, an island once much more forested than today. My perspective is that economic benefit of forestry shouldn’t be the priority in restoring the landscape—this book challenges my ideas with a cohesive analysis of many factors playing into the situation today, and addresses a way forward that makes the economics of forestry blend with the cultural and even psychological need for nature.

It will be exciting to see how Ireland moves forward, and how its forests return as well.

[AB · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is primarily a history book, so not for me, but still interesting and well-written. McMahon’s solution at the end is a good idea— he takes culture and economics (which are the two usual reasons people don’t like environmental solutions) into consideration along with recreation and the environment. The book can get boring if you’re not particularly interested in Irish history or natural history, but I’d recommend the last chapter for everybody.

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers incredible insight on the history of Irish forests (both natural and political). I felt the author offered a very balanced explanation as to how we lost our forest cover, and our connection to forestry as people. It's an incredibly well-researched and informative piece of work, which also offers optimism in the form of achievable solutions via the development of 'continuous cover forestry'. McMahon clearly shows how we can foster a forest culture which could be both economically and recreationally sustainable, and support our biodiversity in a way that the current model simply cannot. I highly recommend anyone and everyone to read this fantastic book.

[Elanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on the debated topic of forestry in Ireland. A little bit too soft on the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy' colonial exploitation of Ireland and on their superiority complex towards the native "peasants", but the description of the current attitudes of the Irish farmers and larger culture resonates with my experience living in Ireland for eleven years. And I dig the proposed solution of shifting to "continuous cover forestry" - mixed-species woods that are given time to grow and are felled a bit at a time, uniting economic exploitation to environmental protection and public enjoyment. I also like the open approach to new species, based on the idea that there is no such a thing as an ideal past of native woodland to recover, but a balanced habitat to create. Especially mind-blowing was the statement that human interventions are part of the eco-system whether we like it or not, and that idealising nature "without us" is as anthropocentric a view as the exploitative utilitarianism of the 20th century.

[Brian Gormley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9 out of 4. A useful book if you’re interested in forestry or trees in Ireland. Well written and very little jargon it covers the history of woodland and forest cover in Ireland and tackles some myths (we always tend to blame the English for cutting down our forests. Not so, apparently!) the first six or seven chapters cover the history and are a bit repetitive and could have been shortened with a few graphs. I found the final two chapters on modern times and the future, including Pro Silva, continuous cover forestry are the most interesting. Forestry and Rewilding are hotbtopics in Ireland now and this is a useful contribution.

[Oisín Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very wordy, but still interesting