Written by Ireland's greatest field botanist and published in 1937, this enduring celebration of the Irish landscape is the result of five years of weekends spent walking a mazy 5,000 miles across hills and bogs, swimming through flooded caverns, staying out all night on islands, sifting fossil bones and exploring cattle-tramped tombs. That was when conservation was still in the future, farmers welcomed rambling strangers, bogs were intact, bungalows, cars, ESB poles and chain saws were absent, and the countryside was largely tourist-free. Praeger's journey began in Donegal and ended in Kerry. Along the way he discovered much, including the passage tombs of Carrowkeel in Sligo, which he was the first to enter. This is an absolute must for lovers of natural history.
Robert Lloyd Praeger, born in County Down in 1865, was educated at Queen's College Belfast. He worked at the National Library for over thirty years and was Librarian from 1920 to 1924 and President of the Royal Irish Academy 1931-1934. Best known as a botanist, his earliest researches were on geology and archaeology. His books include Natural History of Ireland, A Populous Solitude and Some Irish Naturalists. He died in 1953.
"Remarkable, with a special appeal for all of us who live in urban areas and love the great outdoors."
– Irish Mountain Log
"The entire book is a treasure trove' Books Ireland 'Engaging, erudite, and timeless – a wonderful book"
– The Irish Times
"With enough erudition to satisfy any dull academic"
– Sunday Tribune
"The entire book is a treasure trove."
– Books Ireland