In brief
Eoghan Daltun, a sculptor-turned-environmental advocate, is rewilding his 73-acre farm in West Cork, Ireland, to counter the country's declining biodiversity and low forest coverage, driven by a desire to shift perceptions of Ireland from the "Emerald Isle" to a robust ecological landscape.
Eoghan Daltun, a sculptor and environmental visionary, is on a mission to transform the perception of Ireland from the famous "Emerald Isle" to a true ecological sanctuary. Situated in West Cork on the rugged southwestern coast, Daltun has taken significant steps to rewild his 73-acre farm, converting it into a vibrant temperate rainforest. Despite the popular belief that Ireland's constant rainfall fosters a robust natural environment, Daltun highlights a stark reality—much of the land is ecologically barren.A recent report from Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency paints a grim picture of the country’s environmental health, categorizing it as “poor.” Once predominantly forested, with trees covering about 80% of the land centuries ago, Ireland now claims just 11% tree cover, most of which consists of nonnative species like Sitka spruce. Native tree species account for a mere 1%. Daltun emphasizes the need for awareness around this biodiversity crisis, observing that the pastoral landscapes filled with grazing animals are often mere grass monocultures offering little to no support for wildlife. “These places are biological deserts,” he states, underscoring the urgency of ecological restoration.Daltun believes the time for blaming historical colonialism for ecological decline has passed. “Ireland has been independent for over a century, and things have only worsened,” he reflects. His works, including the books “An Irish Atlantic Rainforest” and “The Magic of an Irish Rainforest,” document both his rewilding efforts and the rare untouched natural areas of Ireland, hoping to inspire others to join his cause.By restoring self-sustaining ecosystems, Daltun envisions a future rich in biodiversity and natural beauty—a future where the term "Emerald Isle" truly reflects Ireland's ecological vibrancy, not just its color. With a call to action for fellow citizens, he believes that a collective rewilding can alter the environmental trajectory of the nation within the next decade if enough people commit to the cause.
