The Irish hare
The Irish hare is unique to the island of Ireland and is arguably the country's oldest surviving mammal. It has been present on the island since before the last ice age, which ended around 10,000 years ago.
Revered and celebrated in Celtic lore for centuries, The lunar hare is seen as carrying an egg, symbolically heralding the new cycle of life that comes with the spring. For ancient communities that had struggled to survive the winter with limited food reserves, eggs were often the first of nature’s bounty to save them from starvation. No wonder then that the hare was revered as a symbol of life and endowed with magical powers.
Irish hares only have about 2 babies in every litter. Unlike rabbits, hares are born fully furred and with their eyes open. Unfortunately, The numbers of these noble animals have declined dramatically in the last three decades. People who live in rural areas report that hare numbers are only a fraction of what they once were. With little protection in law, this unique species remains endangered and is now locally extinct in some areas.
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Irish hare
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Revered and celebrated in Celtic lore for centuries, The lunar hare is seen as carrying an egg, symbolically heralding the new cycle of life that comes with the spring. For ancient communities that had struggled to survive the winter with limited food reserves, eggs were often the first of nature’s bounty to save them from starvation. No wonder then that the hare was revered as a symbol of life and endowed with magical powers.
Irish hares only have about 2 babies in every litter. Unlike rabbits, hares are born fully furred and with their eyes open. Unfortunately, The numbers of these noble animals have declined dramatically in the last three decades. People who live in rural areas report that hare numbers are only a fraction of what they once were. With little protection in law, this unique species remains endangered and is now locally extinct in some areas.
Copy Sources & Photo Credit:
Irish hare
Ask About ireland
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