Friday, November 24, 2006

Book - Ireland's Mammals

Ireland’s Mammals by Juanita Browne ISBN 0-9550594-0-2.
Available from Easons or order online from http://www.irishwildlife.ie

Suitable for all ages this book profiles the life of each Irish mammal over 192 pages and 120 photographs. Find out where each common land mammal lives, what it eats, when it breeds and its particular lifestyle adaptations. A species profile, including common, Irish and scientific names, average weight and body measurements is provided for each land mammal species, and a sample of whale and dolphin species.

"With its lively and informative text along with stunning photographs and illustrations Ireland’s Mammals is a book the whole family can enjoy." Don Conroy.

“At last, a book that brings us to meet Ireland’s mammals in their secret hideaways. Juanita Browne brings their story up to date in a clear and thorough text, wonderfully suited to school use but absorbing to readers of any age." Michael Viney, Irish Times.

"This is a book with a difference... wonderfully illustrated with photographs of the highest calibre... delivered in easy-to-follow text." Éanna Ní Lamhna

Labels: ,

The island of ireland

Once upon a time, and for 15000 years, ice a mile high blanketed Ireland. When the lingering Ice Age finally released and the Irish ice departed it left a landscape scoured. Across land bridges linking Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe plants and animals arrived to colonise the new lowlands, mountains and valleys. The world’s ice continued to melt, the sea levels to rise, and some 8000 years ago Ireland became the island we now know, accounting for just 0.01% of the world's total land area and the most westerly point of Europe.

Though at Alaskan latitudes, the country's climate is tempered, due partly to the neighbouring waters of the Gulf Stream and partly the prevailing southwesterlies that veering and backing make landfall on our sodden coast. These offerings from the Atlantic mean it is never too hot, never too cold. But without doubt it is wet. Rain lingers year round, never far away, though is most frequent in winter, the western counties and, inevitably, on the day of your parade.