In a bid to combat Ireland's ecological decline, Eoghan Daltun shares his experience of rewilding his West Cork land, advocating for an urgent revival of native forests and biodiversity across the Emerald Isle.
Rewilding Ireland: Eoghan Daltun's Vision for a Greener Future
Rewilding Ireland: Eoghan Daltun's Vision for a Greener Future
Eoghan Daltun advocates for ecological restoration in Ireland by transforming his farm into a thriving rainforest ecosystem.
Eoghan Daltun, a sculptor and environmental advocate, is on a mission to transform the perception of Ireland as a green oasis. His farm in West Cork, located on the rugged southwestern coast, has been rewilded into a flourishing temperate rainforest. “Give it five or 10 years and things will be very different here,” he anticipates, resonating his commitment to environmental restoration.
Despite Ireland’s moniker as the Emerald Isle, Daltun highlights a stark reality: the country is experiencing an ecological crisis. A recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency describes Ireland's environmental health as “poor,” pointing to the loss of forests that once covered 80 percent of the land. Today, only 11 percent is forested, and most of this consists of nonnative Sitka spruce, with native trees making up a mere 1 percent.
The biodiversity crisis is equally alarming. While Ireland is home to picturesque green fields populated by livestock, these landscapes predominantly feature grass monocultures, rendering them biological deserts without space for native flora and fauna. “There is nothing there for nature,” Daltun asserts.
He acknowledges a historical tendency to attribute these environmental issues to British colonialism. “That just doesn’t wash anymore,” he argues, emphasizing that after over a century of independence, the situation has only worsened.
Daltun has chronicled his journey towards rewilding in his 2022 book, “An Irish Atlantic Rainforest,” complemented by his latest release, “The Magic of an Irish Rainforest,” which is a photographic showcase of Ireland's rare, untouched ecosystems. Through his efforts, he hopes to inspire more landowners to embrace rewilding practices, striving to restore Ireland’s natural heritage and promote ecological resilience.
