Flora and Fauna

Flora

Sphagnum Moss

Sphagnum moss, also known as bog moss, is commonly found in peat bogs in Ireland.

Courtesy of CJ Fallon Ltd.

Sphagnum Moss
Courtesy of CJ Fallon Ltd.

Sphagnum Moss

Sphagnum moss, also known as bog moss, is commonly found in peat bogs in Ireland.

Courtesy of CJ Fallon Ltd.

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There are approximately 2,000 vascular plant species (ferns, clubmosses, flowering plants and conifers), over 800 bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworths), 1,600 types of algae, about 1,000 different types of lichens and over 3,500 different species of fungi in the country.

The mosses and liverworths flourish in the mild damp climate and lichens grow in abundance here because of our clean, unpolluted air.

An unusual combination of flowers are found in the limestone cracks of the Burren with Mediterranean flowers growing alongside those from much colder climates further north.

Fauna

Pine Marten

The Burren provides a natural habitat for one of Ireland's shyest mammals, the pine marten.

Pine Marten

Pine Marten

The Burren provides a natural habitat for one of Ireland's shyest mammals, the pine marten.

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There are 35 mammal species on land in Ireland , 28 freshwater fish species, 24 species of whale and dolphin in Irish seawaters and approximately 200 different types of bird.  The number of invertebrates (without a backbone) exceeds16,000.