Surprising but true: Ireland is said to be one of the few territories in the world entirely free of snakes! Forget vipers, garter snakes and similar creeping creatures: on the Emerald Isle, you can walk in peace through tall grasses, moorland and wide open spaces without worrying about them. This unique feature has given rise to many stories and legends over the centuries, including that of St. Patrick. A look back at a fascinating phenomenon.
Saint Patrick hunting snakes in Ireland – Go to Ireland.com
Ireland is snake-free. It’s a scientifically proven fact. But before we get into concrete explanations, it’s essential to know that the Irish like to explain this phenomenon by mentioning a legend linked to Saint Patrick, the patron saint of the island of Ireland.
History has it that St. Patrick chased all the snakes off the island in the 5th century, and they never returned.
According to legend, after fasting for 40 days on a mountaintop (now called Croagh Patrick in County Mayo), St. Patrick was attacked by snakes.
To defend himself and the island, St. Patrick is said to have used his divine powers to gather all the snakes in Ireland and drive them into the sea, banishing them from the island forever.
This highly symbolic story is a way of saying that Saint Patrick, by implanting Christianity, drove evil away from the Emerald Isle. As a reminder, the serpent has always been the symbol of original sin, vice and evil. Through his actions, Ireland’s patron saint is said to have saved the island, ridding it of all perversion.
Some historians believe this legend may symbolize the eradication of pagan beliefs by Christianity, St. Patrick being a key figure in the Christianization of Ireland.
But let’s get back to business. Although the myth is rather charming, the reality is quite different.
In truth, there have never been any snakes in post-glacial Ireland. This is scientifically explained by geological and climatic factors.
The island has been separated from the rest of continental Europe since the end of the last Ice Age, when Ireland, like Great Britain, was covered in ice, making life impossible for snakes.
After the ice retreated, rising sea levels isolated Ireland from the rest of Europe, preventing the snakes’ natural migration to the island.
The legend of St. Patrick hunting snakes is therefore symbolic rather than historical.
The absence of snakes has interesting implications for the Irish ecosystem. As well as saving us many a fright on a hike, their absence has allowed Ireland to possess natural ecosystems quite different from those seen in the rest of Europe.
In many ecosystems, snakes act as regulators, controlling populations of rodents and other small animals. In Ireland, other predators such as foxes and birds of prey fulfil this role. This contributes to the richness and uniqueness of the Irish fauna.
For those suffering from ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), Ireland is an ideal destination. The absence of wild snakes guarantees a hiking and nature discovery experience without this specific fear.
It also contributes to Ireland’s picturesque and welcoming image, enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination. Here, there’s no risk of being attacked by dangerous wild creatures like snakes: you can walk in peace!
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