Despirited Forests, Deforested Landscapes: The Historical Loss of Irish Woodlands

Abstract

This paper studies the history of deforestation in Ireland under the impact of consequent arrivals and departures, among which the advent of Christianity and the Anglo-Norman colonisation left a permanent mark on both the Irish landscape and culture. The aim is to understand how the island of Ireland, once known for its dense woodlands, became almost entirely denuded of tree cover by the end of the 19th century and continues to be among the least forested regions in Europe. The history of deforestation in Ireland is an example of how environmental phenomena are closely linked with wider cultural and political concerns that characterise a certain period of history. Deforestation in Ireland was part of the colonial narrative that focused on subjugating the native population by taming the very landscape upon which they depended as a dwelling place.